title stringlengths 0 901 | abstract stringlengths 3 9.89k | PMID int64 22 25.3M | embedding listlengths 768 768 |
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[Comparative study of three different methods for penile reconstruction]. | To compare the effect of three methods for penile reconstruction. From Sept. 2000 to Dec. 2012, penile reconstruction was performed in 48 cases with free scapular flap transplantation, or pedicled superficial circumflex iliac artery skin flap, or anterolateral thigh skin flap pedicled with lateral circumflex femoral artery. The flaps were 12.0-14.5 cm in length, 10-12 cm in width and the urethra perimeter was about 2-3 cm. Free scapular flaps were used in 21 cases, with flap failure in 3 cases due to insufficient blood supply. Malleable penile prosthesis was implanted in 11 cases, which was exposed in 3 cases. Groin skin flaps were used in 21 cases, with flap failure in 8 cases due to insufficient blood supply. Malleable penile prostheses were implanted in 7 cases, which was exposed in 3 cases. Anterolateral thigh skin flaps were used in 6 cases, with flap failure in 2 cases due to necrosis and infection. No prosthesis was implanted in this group. All the failure cases underwent secondary reconstruction with successful results. 37 cases were followed up for 1-6 years, avevage 2.5 years. 26 cases were satisfied with the results of appearance and function. Among these three methods, the free scapular flap is most recommended for its high survival rate, low complication rate and high patient satisfaction. | 25,112,008 | [
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The effect of collection method on urinalysis results in women with pelvic organ prolapse. | Midstream clean catch and catheterized urine specimens were obtained for each patient and samples were compared by microscopic urinalysis. The results of this study demonstrate that a midstream clean catch does not yield accurate urinalysis results in women with advanced urogenital prolapse. | 25,112,019 | [
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A paired outcomes study comparing two pediatric wheelchairs for low-resource settings: the regency pediatric wheelchair and a similarly sized wheelchair made in Kenya. | This comparative study of two similar wheelchairs designed for less-resourced settings provides feedback to manufacturers, informing ongoing improvement in wheelchair design. It also provides practical familiarity to clinicians in countries where these chairs are available, in their selection of prescribed wheelchairs. In Kenya, 24 subjects completed 3 timed skills and assessments of energy cost on 2 surfaces in each of 2 wheelchairs: the Regency pediatric chair and a pediatric wheelchair manufactured by the Association of the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK). Both wheelchairs are designed for and distributed in less-resourced settings. The Regency chair significantly outperformed the APDK chair in one of the energy cost assessments on both surfaces and in one of three timed skills tests. | 25,112,053 | [
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[Quality assessment on guidelines of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion: a study based on AGREE]. | The quality of guidelines of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion was evaluated with AGREE II tool. After retrieval of officially-issued guidelines of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion from 2004 to 2013, totally 5 types of evidence-based guidelines of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion were acquired, including depression, herpes zoster, pseudobulbar palsy after stroke, migraine and Bell's palsy. With AGREE II tool, independent score in six areas, including guideline's scope and purpose, participants and personnel, preciseness, clarity and readability, applicability and editorial independence were analyzed to perform a comprehensive evaluation in the end. The assessment results indicated that the score of editorial independence in evidence-based guidelines of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion was the highest, averagely 97.9%, which was followed by clarity and readability (83.3%), participants and personnel (78.1%), preciseness (75.6%), the scope and purpose (68.1%) and the applicability (62.5%). The total evaluation score was all 6 points in the five guidelines with recommended as comprehensive evaluation advice. This study results indicate that although the guideline of clinical practice in acupuncture and moxibustion is low in number, the total quality is considerable. | 25,112,103 | [
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Perception of high school students on risk for acquiring HIV and utilization of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) service for HIV in Debre-berhan Town, Ethiopia: a quantitative cross-sectional study. | Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic among youth is largely ignored and remains invisible to both young people themselves and to the society as a whole. Thus, the aim of the study was to assess the extent of perception risk of HIV and utilization of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) service among high school students at Debre-berhan Town, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2010 up to January 2011 among secondary school students at Debre-berhan Town. Perception risk and VCT use were considered as dependant variables. A stratified random sampling technique was used to recruit study participants by taking schools as strata. Semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the necessary data. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. A total of 339 students were consented to participate in the study and the response rate was 96.3%. The student ages' were ranged from 15 up to 24 years. Among the study participants, 30 (8.8%) had sexual contact and the mean age of first sexual encounter was 16.4 (SD =2.05) years. Of sexually active students, 12 (40%) had sex with different persons within the last 6 months, 13 (43.3%) had ever used condom and 15 (50%) had used VCT service. There was no statistically significant association between risk perception towards HIV infection and ever use of VCT service (AOR (95% CI) = 1.0(0.30, 4.02). Some students were engaged in risky sexual behavior even though they had heard about HIV/AIDS. The perception of risk for acquisition of HIV infection and utilization of VCT were low. Thus, education on topic of HIV/AIDS through integrating as part of school curriculum and encouraging the existing health institutions to provide youth-friendly sexual counseling services including VCT for HIV are strongly recommended. | 25,112,147 | [
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Epidemiology of nasopharyngeal colonization by S. pneumoniae in Indian infants in the first 2 years of life. | Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of invasive disease in developing countries like India. Although the 13 valent pneumococcal vaccine has already been introduced in the country, there is very little epidemiological data regarding S. pneumoniae colonization and antibiotic susceptibility in Indian infants. We studied serogroup/serotype (SGT) distribution and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of S. pneumoniae in unvaccinated Indian infants by performing monthly nasopharyngeal swabbing of a birth cohort for 2 years. Colonization began soon after birth and was complete in the first year of life in the majority of those colonized. Carriage rates increased during winter (p<0.01) and in those with upper respiratory infection (URI) (p<0.01). The most frequently (76.1%) isolated SGT were 19, 6, 15, 23, 9, 35 and 10. Vaccine SGT accounted for 60.5% of all colonizers. Antibiotic resistance was maximum for cotrimoxazole (94.3%) and least for erythromycin (11.2%) with no penicillin resistance. Ten of the commonest SGT which cause invasive disease among Indian infants comprised 46.9% of the colonizers. Serogroups 1, 5, 45 and 12 which cause invasive disease in under-fives were not seen in this birth cohort in the first year. S. pneumoniae colonization in Indian infants commences soon after birth and chiefly occurs in the first year of life. The 13 valent vaccine may protect against a little less than half the commonly seen invasive SGT of S. pneumoniae. | 25,112,164 | [
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De novo transcriptome sequencing and digital gene expression analysis predict biosynthetic pathway of rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline from Uncaria rhynchophylla, a non-model plant with potent anti-alzheimer's properties. | The major medicinal alkaloids isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla (gouteng in chinese) capsules are rhynchophylline (RIN) and isorhynchophylline (IRN). Extracts containing these terpene indole alkaloids (TIAs) can inhibit the formation and destabilize preformed fibrils of amyloid β protein (a pathological marker of Alzheimer's disease), and have been shown to improve the cognitive function of mice with Alzheimer-like symptoms. The biosynthetic pathways of RIN and IRN are largely unknown. In this study, RNA-sequencing of pooled Uncaria capsules RNA samples taken at three developmental stages that accumulate different amount of RIN and IRN was performed. More than 50 million high-quality reads from a cDNA library were generated and de novo assembled. Sequences for all of the known enzymes involved in TIAs synthesis were identified. Additionally, 193 cytochrome P450 (CYP450), 280 methyltransferase and 144 isomerase genes were identified, that are potential candidates for enzymes involved in RIN and IRN synthesis. Digital gene expression profile (DGE) analysis was performed on the three capsule developmental stages, and based on genes possessing expression profiles consistent with RIN and IRN levels; four CYP450s, three methyltransferases and three isomerases were identified as the candidates most likely to be involved in the later steps of RIN and IRN biosynthesis. A combination of de novo transcriptome assembly and DGE analysis was shown to be a powerful method for identifying genes encoding enzymes potentially involved in the biosynthesis of important secondary metabolites in a non-model plant. The transcriptome data from this study provides an important resource for understanding the formation of major bioactive constituents in the capsule extract from Uncaria, and provides information that may aid in metabolic engineering to increase yields of these important alkaloids. | 25,112,168 | [
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Asymmetric transverse control of maxillary dentition with two midpalatal orthodontic miniscrews. | There have been several orthodontic modalities for maxillary transverse control with most addressing symmetric control. The asymmetric transverse control of maxillary dentition is challenging to orthodontists due to the lack of certain modalities and possible dental side effects. Skeletal anchorages provide biomechanics without orthodontic side effects, but reports of their utilization for transverse control of maxillary dentition are scarce. The purpose of this article is to introduce a novel method utilizing two midpalatal orthodontic miniscrews and a connecting wire system for the asymmetric transverse control of maxillary dentition. Records of two patients consecutively treated with this system are reported, and the related biomechanical considerations are presented. | 25,112,171 | [
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Mapping resistance to the bird cherry-oat aphid and the greenbug in wheat using sequence-based genotyping. | Identification of novel resistance QTL against wheat aphids. First QTL-resistance report for R. padi in wheat and chromosome 2DL for S. graminum . These sources have potential use in wheat breeding. The aphids Rhopalosiphum padi and Schizaphis graminum are important pests of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Characterization of the genetic bases of resistance sources is crucial to facilitate the development of resistant wheat cultivars to these insects. We examined 140 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the cross of Seri M82 wheat (susceptible) with the synthetic hexaploid wheat CWI76364 (resistant). RILs were phenotyped for R. padi antibiosis and tolerance traits. Phenotyping of S. graminum resistance was based on leaf chlorosis in a greenhouse screening and the number of S. graminum/tiller in the field. RILs were also scored for pubescence. Using a sequence-based genotyping method, we located genomic regions associated with these resistance traits. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) for R. padi antibiosis (QRp.slu.4BL) that explained 10.2 % of phenotypic variation was found in chromosome 4BL and located 14.6 cM apart from the pubescence locus. We found no association between plant pubescence and the resistance traits. We found two QTLs for R. padi tolerance (QRp.slu.5AL and QRp.slu.5BL) in chromosomes 5AL and 5BL, with an epistatic interaction between a locus in chromosome 3AL (EnQRp.slu.5AL) and QRp.slu.5AL. These genomic regions explained about 35 % of the phenotypic variation. We re-mapped a previously reported gene for S. graminum resistance (putatively Gba) in 7DL and found a novel QTL associated with the number of aphids/tiller (QGb.slu-2DL) in chromosome 2DL. This is the first report on the genetic mapping of R. padi resistance in wheat and the first report where chromosome 2DL is shown to be associated with S. graminum resistance. | 25,112,202 | [
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Synovial fluid differential cell count in wear debris synovitis after total knee replacement. | Determining the cause of synovitis following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can be challenging. The differential diagnoses include infection, hemarthrosis, instability, crystalline disease, wear debris or idiopathic causes. Wear particle synovitis can mimic periprosthetic infection with symptoms of pain and effusion. Radiographs and physical exam are often inconclusive in differentiating the two. Synovial fluid analysis is routinely used in evaluating periprosthetic infections. We examined the association between synovial white blood cell count and differentials, and polyethylene wear and osteolysis, to see if fluid analysis can aid in establishing the diagnosis of wear particle synovitis. A cell count and differential was obtained from synovial fluid samples from 54 TKAs undergoing revision for aseptic failure. Explanted polyethylene inserts were analyzed for linear and volumetric wear, oxidation (ketone peak height), and damage features. Analysis was performed to assess the relationship between cell counts and polyethylene wear indicators as well as severity of intra-operative and radiographic osteolysis. Total and percent mononuclear (monocyte and lymphocyte) cell counts were found to be elevated in the presence of documented wear debris synovitis and an association was suggested between their levels and maximum ketone levels. The present study implies that the differential cell count of knee fluid can help distinguish wear debris from infection as a source of synovitis following TKA and identifies the value of the mononuclear cell count as a possible tool to assess abnormal wear rates of the polyethylene insert. Further research into identifying the exact role of monocytes in the wear debris synovitis and osteolytic pathways is warranted. Level II, diagnostic study. | 25,112,210 | [
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Interventions to reduce inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotic medications in people with dementia resident in care homes: a systematic review. | Antipsychotic medications are commonly used to manage the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Several large studies have demonstrated an association between treatment with antipsychotics and increased morbidity and mortality in people with dementia. To assess the effectiveness of interventions used to reduce inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotics to the elderly with dementia in residential care. Systematic searches were conducted in 12 electronic databases. Reference lists of all included studies and forward citation searching using Web of Science were also conducted. All quantitative studies with a comparative research design and studies in which recognized methods of qualitative data collection were used were included. Articles were screened for inclusion independently by 2 reviewers. Data extraction and quality appraisal were performed by 1 reviewer and checked by a second with discrepancies resolved by discussion with a third if necessary. Twenty-two quantitative studies (reported in 23 articles) were included evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs (n = 11), in-reach services (n = 2), medication review (n = 4), and multicomponent interventions (n = 5). No qualitative studies meeting our inclusion criteria were identified. Eleven studies were randomized or controlled in design; the remainder were uncontrolled before and after studies. Beneficial effects were seen in 9 of the 11 studies with the most robust study design with reductions in antipsychotic prescribing levels of between 12% and 20%. Little empirical information was provided on the sustainability of interventions. Interventions to reduce inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotic medications to people with dementia resident in care homes may be effective in the short term, but longer more robust studies are needed. For prescribing levels to be reduced in the long term, the culture and nature of care settings and the availability and feasibility of nondrug alternatives needs to be addressed. | 25,112,229 | [
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Diabetes: insulin pump therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus. | The evidence base for the efficacy of insulin pump therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been inconsistent to date. However, a recent large-scale randomized controlled trial comparing pump treatment with multiple daily insulin injections in patients with poorly controlled T2DM has shown substantial improvement in glycaemic control with pump therapy. | 25,112,234 | [
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Revision of the systematics of the cardinalfishes (Percomorpha: Apogonidae) based on molecular analyses and comparative reevaluation of morphological characters. | Molecular analyses were conducted based on 120 of the estimated 358 species of the family Apogonidae with 33 of 40 genera and subgenera, using three gobioids and one kurtid as collective outgroups. Species of Amioides, Apogon, Apogonichthyoides, Apogonichthys, Archamia, Astrapogon, Brephamia, Cercamia, Cheilodipterus, Fibramia n. gen., Foa, Fowleria, Glossamia, Gymnapogon, Jaydia, Lachneratus, Nectamia, Ostorhinchus, Paroncheilus, Phaeoptyx, Pristiapogon, Pristicon, Pseudamia, Pterapogon, Rhabdamia, Siphamia, Sphaeramia, Taeniamia, Verulux, Vincentia, Yarica, Zapogon and Zoramia were present in the molecular analyses; species of Bentuviaichthys, Holapogon, Lepidamia, Neamia, Paxton, Pseudamiops and Quinca were absent from the analyses. Maximum-likelihood (ML), Bayesian (BA), and Maximum parsimony (MP) analyses based on two mitochondrial (12S rRNA-tRNAVal-16S rRNA, ca. 1500 bp; COI, ca. 1500 bp) and two nuclear DNA (RAG1, ca. 1300 bp; ENC1, ca. 800 bp) fragments reproduced two basal clades within the monophyletic family: one including a single species, Amioides polyacanthus, and the other comprising species of Pseudamia. All the other apogonid species formed a large well-established monophyletic group, in which almost identical 12 major clades were reproduced, with phylogenetic positions of four species (Glossamia aprion, Ostorhinchus margaritophorus, Pterapogon kauderni, and Vincentia novaehollandiae) left unsettled. Apogon sensu lato and recent Ostorhinchus (excepting O. margaritophorus) were divided into six and three major clades, respectively. Each of the recognized clades in the family was then evaluated for morphological characters to identify synapomorphies. Based on the results of the molecular analyses and the reevaluation of morphological characters, four subfamilies were proposed within the family: Apogoninae (including most of the species in the family), Amioidinae new subfamily (including Amioides, and based on morphology, Holapogon), Paxtoninae new subfamily (including Paxton, based only on morphology) and Pseudamiinae (including Pseudamia). Within the largest subfamily Apogoninae, twelve new tribes were proposed based on the 12 molecular clades and associated morphology: Apogonichthyini, Apogonini (mainly including species of Apogon sensu stricto), Archamiini, Cheilodipterini, Gymnapogonini, Ostorhinchini (including striped species of recent Ostorhinchus), Pristiapogonini, Rhabdamiini, Sphaeramiini (mainly including barred species of traditional Ostorhinchus, such as Apogonichthyoides, Jaydia and Nectamia), Siphamiini, Veruluxini, and Zoramiini. Two additional tribes are proposed based only on morphology: Glossamiini and Lepidamiini. For each of the 14 tribes, morphological characters were described. One new genus, Fibramia, type species Apogon thermalis, recently in Ostorhinchus, was described supported by morphology and molecular trees. A key to all genera is provided and all valid and uncertain status species are allocated to tribes and genera. | 25,112,246 | [
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Pethia longicauda, a new species of barb (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the northern Western Ghats, India. | Pethia longicauda, a new cyprinid fish, is described from Hiranyakeshi River, Krishna drainage, Maharashtra, India. It can be distinguished from congeners based on a combination of characters including: a long caudal peduncle, incomplete lateral line, absence of barbels, upper lip thick and fleshy, distinct lateral fold on snout, 22-24 scales in lateral series, 5-6 lateral-line pored scales, nine predorsal scales, 9-10 prepelvic scales, 15-17 preanal scales, ½3/1/3½ transverse scales, 11-15 pairs of serrae on the distal half of the last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, 11-13 branched pectoral fin rays, 4+26 total vertebrae, 4+5 predorsal vertebrae, 4+13 abdominal and 13 caudal vertebrae, body iridescent silver in color with a black humeral spot, two black blotches on caudal peduncle and dorsal fin usually without any color bands or blotches but in breeding males with two rows of minute, indistinct black spots. | 25,112,249 | [
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New species of Pseudonannolene Silvestri, 1895 from Brazilian limestone caves with comments on the potential distribution of the genus in South America (Spirostreptida: Pseudonannolenidae). | Ten new species of Pseudonannolene Silvestri, 1895 are described from Brazilian limestone caves. The species are separated by the morphology of their gonopods and the processes of the first pair of legs of males. A pictorial identification key for the cave-dwelling species from Brazil is provided, besides comments on the distribution of the genus with a potential distribution map of Pseudonannolene and Epinannolene in South and Central America. | 25,112,257 | [
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Description of Ektaphelenchoides fuchsi n. sp. (Nematoda: Ektaphelenchinae) from western Iran. | Ektaphelenchoides fuchsi n. sp., recovered from a soil sample around the rhizosphere of Cucurbita maxima in western Iran, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular characters. The new species is characterized by its body length of 529-712 µm, continuous lip region, lateral fields with three incisures, total stylet length of 14-18 µm with rounded basal knobs, excretory pore 70-84 µm and hemizonid 87-96 µm from the anterior end, post-uterine sac short, 6-9 µm long in female and tail conoid with long filiform terminus in male. Based on morphological and molecular characters, the new species is close to E. kelardashtensis, E. attenuata, and E. musae. It differs from the closest species E. kelardashtensis by its longer sylet (14-18 vs 13-16 µm) and stylet with basal knobs vs not, longer post uterine sac (6-9 vs 3-6 µm), more posterior position of excretory pore and hemizonid (70-84 vs 55-66 and 87-96 vs 67-78 µm, respectively), and longer spicules (12-13 vs 8-10 µm). Comparisons with other species of Ektaphelenchoides are also discussed. Molecular analyses were performed based on 631 bp of the partial ribosomal RNA large subunit gene (D2/D3 of LSU) and showed that E. fuchsi n. sp. is unique when compared with other species of the genus for which sequences of that region are available. | 25,112,260 | [
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Plant mites of the Dominican Republic, with a description of a new species of Petrobia (Tetranychina) Wainstein, 1960 (Acari, Prostigmata, Tetranychidae) and a key to the species of this subgenus. | Fourteen mite species of plant-associated mites of the suborder Prostigmata are reported from the Dominican Republic. Four of these refer to new findings for the country, including Petrobia (Tetranychina) hispaniola n. sp. Sánchez & Flechtmann, described from specimens collected from leaves of Citrus sp. (Rutaceae) and Rosa sp. (Rosaceae). A key for the separation of the world species of Petrobia (Tetranychina) is presented. | 25,112,265 | [
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Molecular and biochemical characteristics of β-propeller phytase from marine Pseudomonas sp. BS10-3 and its potential application for animal feed additives. | Phytate is an antinutritional factor that impacts the bioavailability of essential minerals such as Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+), and Fe(2+) by forming insoluble mineral-phytate salts. These insoluble mineral-phytate salts are hydrolyzed rarely by monogastric animals, because they lack the hydrolyzing phytases and thus excrete the majority of them. The β-propeller phytases (BPPs) hydrolyze these insoluble mineral-phytate salts efficiently. In this study, we cloned a novel BPP gene from a marine Pseudomonas sp. This Pseudomonas BPP gene (PsBPP) had low sequence identity with other known phytases and contained an extra internal repeat domain (residues 24-279) and a typical BPP domain (residues 280-634) at the C-terminus. Structurebased sequence alignment suggested that the N-terminal repeat domain did not possess the active-site residues, whereas the C-terminal BPP domain contained multiple calcium-binding sites, which provide a favorable electrostatic environment for substrate binding and catalytic activity. Thus, we overexpressed the BPP domain from Pseudomonas sp. to potentially hydrolyze insoluble mineral-phytate salts. Purified recombinant PsBPP required Ca(2+) or Fe(2+) for phytase activity, indicating that PsBPP hydrolyzes insoluble Fe(2+)-phytate or Ca2+-phytate salts. The optimal temperature and pH for the hydrolysis of Ca(2+)-phytate by PsBPP were 50°C and 6.0, respectively. Biochemical and kinetic studies clearly showed that PsBPP efficiently hydrolyzed Ca(2+)-phytate salts and yielded myo-inositol 2,4,6-trisphosphate and three phosphate groups as final products. Finally, we showed that PsBPP was highly effective for hydrolyzing rice bran with high phytate content. Taken together, our results suggest that PsBPP has great potential in the animal feed industry for reducing phytates. | 25,112,322 | [
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An updated checklist of Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) of the Crimea, Sub-Mediterranean SE Europe. | This updated checklist is intended to be a collaborative effort by a team of taxonomists to present a hitherto little known diversity of the Nepticulidae of the Crimea. A total of 64 species of Nepticulidae are listed. The following 26 species are recorded for the first time from the Crimea: Stigmella confusella (Wood & Walsingham, 1894), S. tiliae (Frey, 1856), S. microtheriella (Stainton, 1854), S. alnetella (Stainton, 1854), S. glutinosae (Stainton, 1858), S. desperatella (Frey, 1856), S. torminalis (Wood, 1890), S. crataegella (Klimesch, 1936), S. hahniella (Wörz, 1937), S. catharticella (Stainton, 1853), S. malella (Stainton, 1854), S. rhamnella (Herrich-Schäffter, 1860), S. ulmivora (Fologne, 1860), S. trimaculella (Haworth, 1828), S. obliquella (Heinemann, 1862), S. tityrella (Stainton, 1854), S. carpinella (Heinemann, 1862), S. lemniscella (Zeller, 1839), S. plagicolella (Stainton, 1854), S. samiatella (Zeller, 1939), Bohemannia pulverosella (Stainton, 1849), Ectoedemia mahalebella (Klimesch, 1936), Fomoria septembrella (Stainton, 1849), Trifurcula silviae van Nieukerken, 1990, T. macedonica Z. Laštůvka & A. Laštůvka, 1998, T. eurema (Tutt, 1899). One species, Ectoedemia spinosella (Joannis, 1908), is excluded here from the list of the Nepticulidae of the Crimea. Thirty-nine selected species are illustrated with photographs of the leaf-mines, and forty-five species with photographs of genitalia. | 25,112,333 | [
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One new species in the cockroach genus Jacobsonina Hebard 1929 (Blattodea, Ectobiidae, Blattellinae) from Mainland China. | One new species of Jacobsonina Hebard from China is described and illustrated: Jacobsonina erebis sp. nov.. A key to all known species in this genus, except for J. lugubris (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893), based on males, is provided. | 25,112,339 | [
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Two new species of Cosmolaelaps Berlese (Acari:Laelapidae) from Iran . | This paper reports on two species of mites of the genus Cosmolaelaps Berlese, 1903 in Iran--C. dorfakiensis sp. nov., and C. pinnatus sp. nov., extracted from soil and leaf litter samples in Guilan Province, Northern Iran. A key to the species of Cosmolaelaps occurring in the Iran is also provided. | 25,112,356 | [
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Swedish Plectida (Nematoda). Part 7. Setostephanolaimus tchesunovi sp. n. from the west coast of Sweden. | A new species of Setostephanolaimus, S. tchesunovi sp. n., is described from bottom sediments collected in the Skagerrak and Gullmarn Fjord off the west coast of Sweden. It is characterised by 1.0-1.3 mm long body, outer labial setae 6.5-8.5 µm long, cephalic setae 9-11 µm long, subcephalic setae 4-6 µm long, transversely-oval amphid, female with monodelphic opisthodelphic reproductive system, male with 6-9 tubular and without alveolar supplements, spicules arcuate and 54-64 µm long, gubernaculum with dorsal apophysis. A tabular compendium and dichotomous identification key to species of the genus Setostephanolaimus are provided. | 25,112,360 | [
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A distinct immunogenic region of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 is naturally processed and presented by human islet cells to cytotoxic CD8 T cells. | CD8 T cells specific for islet autoantigens are major effectors of β cell damage in type 1 diabetes, and measurement of their number and functional characteristics in blood represent potentially important disease biomarkers. CD8 T cell reactivity against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) in HLA-A*0201 subjects has been reported to focus on an immunogenic region 114-123 (VMNILLQYVV), with studies demonstrating both 114-123 and 114-122 epitopes being targeted. However, the fine specificity of this response is unclear and the key question as to which epitope(s) β cells naturally process and present and, therefore, the pathogenic potential of CD8 T cells with different specificities within this region has not been addressed. We generated human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201-restricted CD8 T cell clones recognizing either 114-122 alone or both 114-122 and 114-123. Both clone types show potent and comparable effector functions (cytokine and chemokine secretion) and killing of indicator target cells externally pulsed with cognate peptide. However, only clones recognizing 114-123 kill target cells transfected with HLA-A*0201 and GAD2 and HLA-A*0201(+) human islet cells. We conclude that the endogenous pathway of antigen processing by HLA-A*0201-expressing cells generates GAD65114-123 as the predominant epitope in this region. These studies highlight the importance of understanding β cell epitope presentation in the design of immune monitoring for potentially pathogenic CD8 T cells. | 25,112,375 | [
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The effects of UV-B radiation intensity on biochemical parameters and active ingredients in flowers of Qi chrysanthemum and Huai chrysanthemum. | The article studied UV-B effects on biochemical parameters and active ingredients in flowers of Qi chrysanthemum and Huai chrysanthemum during the bud stage. The experiment included four UV-B radiation levels (CK, ambient UV-B; T1, T2 and T3 indicated a 5%, 10% and 15% increase in ambient UV-BBE, respectively) to determine the optimal UV-B radiation intensity in regulating active ingredients level in flowers of two chrysanthemum varieties. Flower dry weight of two cultivars was not affected by UV-B radiation under experimental conditions reported here. UV-B treatments significantly increased the rate of superoxide radical production, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (except for T1) and malondialdehyde concentration in flowers of Huai chrysanthemum and H2O2 concentration in flowers of Qi chrysanthemum. T2 and T3 treatments induced a significant increase in phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme (PAL) activity, anthocyanins, proline, ascorbic acid, chlorogenic acid and flavone content in flowers of two chrysanthemum varieties, and there were no significant differences in PAL activity, ascorbic acid, flavone and chlorogenic acid content between the two treatments. These results indicated that appropriate UV-B radiation intensity did not result in the decrease in flower yield, and could regulate PAL activity and increase active ingredients content in flowers of two chrysanthemum varieties. | 25,112,378 | [
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Barth syndrome without tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin deficiency: a possible ameliorated phenotype. | Barth syndrome (BTHS) is an X-linked disorder characterised by cardiac and skeletal myopathy, growth delay, neutropenia and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria (3-MGCA). Patients have TAZ gene mutations which affect metabolism of cardiolipin, resulting in low tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin (CL(4)), an increase in its precursor, monolysocardiolipin (MLCL), and an increased MLCL/CL(4) ratio. During development of a diagnostic service for BTHS, leukocyte CL(4) was measured in 156 controls and 34 patients with genetically confirmed BTHS. A sub-group of seven subjects from three unrelated families was identified with leukocyte CL(4) concentrations within the control range. This had led to initial false negative disease detection in two of these patients. MLCL/CL(4) in this subgroup was lower than in other BTHS patients but higher than controls, with no overlap between the groups. TAZ gene mutations in these families are all predicted to be pathological. This report describes the clinical histories of these seven individuals with an atypical phenotype: some features were typical of BTHS (five have had cardiomyopathy, one family has a history of male infant deaths, three have growth delay and five have 3-MGCA) but none has persistent neutropenia, five have excellent exercise tolerance and two adults are asymptomatic. This report also emphasises the importance of measurement of MLCL/CL(4) ratio rather than CL(4) alone in the biochemical diagnosis of the BTHS. | 25,112,388 | [
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Lithium chloride therapy fails to improve motor function in a transgenic mouse model of Machado-Joseph disease. | The accumulation of misfolded proteins in neurons, leading to the formation of cytoplasmic and nuclear aggregates, is a common theme in age-related neurodegenerative diseases, possibly due to disturbances of the proteostasis and insufficient activity of cellular protein clearance pathways. Lithium is a well-known autophagy inducer that exerts neuroprotective effects in different conditions and has been proposed as a promising therapeutic agent for several neurodegenerative diseases. We tested the efficacy of chronic lithium (10.4 mg/kg) treatment in a transgenic mouse model of Machado-Joseph disease, an inherited neurodegenerative disease, caused by an expansion of a polyglutamine tract within the protein ataxin-3. A battery of behavioral tests was used to assess disease progression. In spite of activating autophagy, as suggested by the increased levels of Beclin-1, Atg7, and LC3-II, and a reduction in the p62 protein levels, lithium administration showed no overall beneficial effects in this model concerning motor performance, showing a positive impact only in the reduction of tremors at 24 weeks of age. Our results do not support lithium chronic treatment as a promising strategy for the treatment of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD). | 25,112,410 | [
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Accumulation of cadmium in and its effect on the midgut gland of terrestrial snail Helix pomatia L. from urban areas in Poland. | The objectives of this study were (1) to determine cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the midgut gland of a land snail Helix pomatia L. inhabiting residential areas of the 14 largest cities in Poland, and (2) to examine whether the accumulated Cd exerted any toxic effects. The average accumulation of Cd in the midgut gland of snails, weighing 16-18 g, ranged from 7.00 to 87.3 µg/g dry weight (0.06-0.77 µmol/g) and differed significantly among animals from the various urban areas. This difference in Cd accumulation was not related to city population, but was associated with the topsoil Cd (R(2) = 0.868, p < 0.0001). The tissue Cd was not found to produce toxicity (histopathology, programmed cell death, lipofuscin formation or lipid peroxidation), probably due to the induction of sufficiently high quantities of metallothionein and glutathione, well-known protective molecules. | 25,112,435 | [
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Is a medical humanities test needed in the National Medical Licensing Examination of Korea? Opinions of medical students and physician writers (secondary publication). | The purpose of this study was to examine the opinions of medical students and physician writers regarding the medical humanities as a subject and its inclusion in the medical school curriculum. Furthermore, we addressed whether an assessment test should be added to the National Medical Licensing Examination of Korea (KMLE). A total of 192 medical students at Inha University and 39 physician writers registered with the Korean Association of Physician Essayists and the Korean Association of Physician Poets participated in this study. They were asked to answer a series of questionnaires. Most medical students (59%) and all physician writers (100%) answered that the medical humanities should be included in the medical school curriculum to train good physicians. They thought that the KMLE did not currently include an assessment of the medical humanities (medical students 69%, physician writers 69%). Most physician writers (87%; Likert scale, 4.38±0.78) felt that an assessment of the medical humanities should be included in the KMLE. Half of the medical students (51%; Likert scale, 2.51±1.17) were against including it in the KMLE, which they would have to pass after several years of study. For the preferred field of assessment, medical ethics was the most commonly endorsed subject (medical students 59%, physician writers 39%). The most frequently preferred evaluation method was via an interview (medical students 45%, physician writers 33%). In terms of the assessment of the medical humanities and the addition of this subject to the KMLE, an interview-based evaluation should be developed. | 25,112,444 | [
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Child Eating Behaviors and Caregiver Feeding Practices in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. | This pilot study compared children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing children (TDC) on weight-related outcomes and caregiver-reported child eating behaviors and feeding practices. Cross-sectional study. Caregivers of 25 children with ASD and 30 TDC, ages 4-6. Caregivers completed validated questionnaires that assessed child eating behaviors and feeding practices. Children's height, weight, and waist circumference were measured. Children with ASD, when compared to TDC, showed significantly greater abdominal waist circumferences (p = .01) and waist-to-height ratios (p < .001). Children with ASD with atypical oral sensory sensitivity exhibited greater food avoidance behaviors, including reluctance to eat novel foods (p = .004), being selective about the range of foods they accept (p = .03), and undereating due to negative emotions (p = .02), than children with ASD with typical oral sensory sensitivity. Caregivers of children with ASD with atypical oral sensory sensitivity reported using food to regulate negative child emotions to a greater extent than caregivers of children with typical oral sensory sensitivity (p = .02). Children with ASD, especially those with atypical oral sensory sensitivity, are at increased risk for food avoidance behaviors and may require additional support in several feeding domains. | 25,112,438 | [
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The shift of segmental contribution ratio in patients with herniated disc during cervical lateral bending. | Abnormal intervertebral movements of spine have been reported to be associated with trauma and pathological conditions. The importance of objective spinal motion imaging assessment in the frontal plane was frequently underestimated. The clinical evaluation of the segmental motion contribution could be useful for detecting the motion pattern of individual vertebrae. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate the shift of segmental contribution ratio in patients with herniated disc during cervical lateral bending to provide additional insights to cervical biomechanics. A total of 92 subjects (46 healthy adult subjects and 46 disc-herniated patients) were enrolled in this case-control study. The motion images during cervical lateral bending movements were digitized using a precise image protocol to analyze the intervertebral motion and contribution. Our results showed that the intervertebral angulation during cervical lateral bending for the C2/3 to C6/7 segments were 7.66°±2.37°, 8.37°±2.11°, 8.91°±3.22°, 7.19°±2.29°, 6.31°±2.11°, respectively for the healthy subjects. For the patients with herniated disc, the intervertebral angulation for the C2/3 to C6/7 segments were 6.87°±1.67°, 7.83°±1.79°, 7.73°±2.71°, 5.13°±2.05°, 4.80°±1.93°, respectively. There were significant angulation and translational differences between healthy subjects and the patients with herniated disc in the C5/6 and C6/7 segments (P=0.001-0.029). The segmental contributions of the individual vertebral segments were further analyzed. There was a significant increase in segmental contribution ratio of C3/4 (P=0.048), while a significant decrease in contribution ratio of C5/6 (P=0.037) was observed in the patients with herniated disc. Our results indicated that the segmental contribution shifted toward the middle cervical spine in the patients with herniated disc. The segmental contributions of cervical spine during lateral bending movement were first described based on the validated radiographic protocol. The detection of the shift of segmental contribution ratio could be helpful for the diagnosis the motion abnormality resulted from the disc or, facet pathologies, and arthritic changes of cervical spine. | 25,112,463 | [
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Competence for genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae: mutations in σA bypass the comW requirement. | Competence for genetic transformation in the genus Streptococcus depends on an alternative sigma factor, σ(X), for coordinated synthesis of 23 proteins, which together establish the X state by permitting lysis of incompetent streptococci, uptake of DNA fragments, and integration of strands of that DNA into the resident genome. Initiation of transient accumulation of high levels of σ(X) is coordinated between cells by transcription factors linked to peptide pheromone signals. In Streptococcus pneumoniae, elevated σ(X) is insufficient for development of full competence without coexpression of a second competence-specific protein, ComW. ComW, shared by eight species in the Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus anginosus groups, is regulated by the same pheromone circuit that controls σ(X), but its role in expression of the σ(X) regulon is unknown. Using the strong, but not absolute, dependence of transformation on comW as a selective tool, we collected 27 independent comW bypass mutations and mapped them to 10 single-base transitions, all within rpoD, encoding the primary sigma factor subunit of RNA polymerase, σ(A). Eight mapped to sites in rpoD region 4 that are implicated in interaction with the core β subunit, indicating that ComW may act to facilitate competition of the alternative sigma factor σ(X) for access to core polymerase. | 25,112,479 | [
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Embryogenesis of Heliconius erato (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae): a contribution to the anatomical development of an evo-devo model organism. | This study reports on the embryogenesis of Heliconius erato phyllis between blastoderm formation and the prehatching larval stage. Syncytial blastoderm formation occurred approximately 2 h after egg laying (AEL) and at about 4 h, the cellular blastoderm was formed. The germ band arose from the entire length of the blastoderm, and rapidly became compacted occupying approximately two-thirds of the egg length. At about 7 h AEL, protocephalon and protocorm differentiation occurred. Continued proliferation of the germ band was followed by penetration into the yolk mass, forming a C-shaped embryo at about 10 h. Approximately 12 h AEL, the gnathal, thoracic and abdominal segments became visible. The primordium of the mouthparts and thoracic legs formed as paired evaginations, while the prolegs formed as paired lobes. At about 30 h, the embryo reversed dorsoventrally. Approximately 32 h AEL, the protocephalon and gnathal segments fused, shifting the relative position of the rudimentary appendages in this region. At about 52 h, the embryo was U-shaped in lateral view and at approximately 56 h, the bristles began evagination from the larval cuticle. Larvae hatched at about 72 h. We found that H. erato phyllis followed an embryonic pattern consistent with long-germ embryogenesis. Thus, we believe that H. erato phyllis should be classified as a long-germ lepidopteran. The study of H. erato phyllis embryogenesis provided a structural glimpse into the morphogenetic events that occur in the Heliconius egg period. This study could help future molecular approaches to understanding the evolution of Heliconius development. | 25,112,499 | [
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Epilepsy: Beyond the single nucleotide variant in epilepsy genetics. | Copy number variants (CNVs; deletions or duplications of chromosomal regions) have emerged as an important cause of human disease. In a recent study, epilepsy could be attributed to a pathogenic CNV in 5% of patients, but understanding the implications of a CNV for an individual patient can be challenging. | 25,112,510 | [
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Admixture mapping identifies a quantitative trait locus associated with FEV1/FVC in the COPDGene Study. | African Americans are admixed with genetic contributions from European and African ancestral populations. Admixture mapping leverages this information to map genes influencing differential disease risk across populations. We performed admixture and association mapping in 3,300 African American current or former smokers from the COPDGene Study. We analyzed estimated local ancestry and SNP genotype information to identify regions associated with FEV1 /FVC, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity, measured by spirometry performed after bronchodilator administration. Global African ancestry inversely associated with FEV1 /FVC (P = 0.035). Genome-wide admixture analysis, controlling for age, gender, body mass index, current smoking status, pack-years smoked, and four principal components summarizing the genetic background of African Americans in the COPDGene Study, identified a region on chromosome 12q14.1 associated with FEV1 /FVC (P = 2.1 × 10(-6) ) when regressed on local ancestry. Allelic association in this region of chromosome 12 identified an intronic variant in FAM19A2 (rs348644) as associated with FEV1 /FVC (P = 1.76 × 10(-6) ). By combining admixture and association mapping, a marker on chromosome 12q14.1 was identified as being associated with reduced FEV1 /FVC ratio among African Americans in the COPDGene Study. | 25,112,515 | [
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Ophthalmoplegia in congenital neuromuscular disease with uniform type 1 fiber. | Congenital neuromuscular disease with uniform type 1 fiber (CNMDU1) is a rare type of congenital myopathy. It is characterized by early onset of symptoms, mild proximal muscle weakness, hyporeflexia or areflexia, normal serum creatine kinase (CK) levels and myopathic electromyography finding, uniform type 1 fibers, and nonprogression. We report a 2-year-old boy who presented with congenital hypotonia, breathing and feeding difficulty, myopathic facies, proximal muscle weakness, ptosis, total external ophthalmoplegia and delayed motor developmental milestones. Normal serum muscle enzyme and short duration of motor unit potentials on electromyography were noted. Muscle biopsy showed uniformity of type 1 fibers (greater than 99%) and moderate variation in fiber size without specific structural abnormality. Total external ophthalmoplegia may be one of the important clinical manifestations of CNMDU1. It is important to recognize this disorder because it is nonprogressive in nature. | 25,112,543 | [
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Minocycline protects against oxidative damage and alters energy metabolism parameters in the brain of rats subjected to chronic mild stress. | Studies have been suggested that minocycline can be a potential new agent for the treatment of depression. In addition, both oxidative stress and energy metabolism present an important role in pathophysiology of depression. So, the present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of minocycline on stress oxidative parameters and energy metabolism in the brain of adult rats submitted to the chronic mild stress protocol (CMS). After CMS Wistar, both stressed animals as controls received twice ICV injection of minocycline (160 μg) or vehicle. The oxidative stress and energy metabolism parameters were assessed in the prefrontal cortex (PF), hippocampus (HIP), amygdala (AMY) and nucleus accumbens (Nac). Our findings showed that stress induced an increase on protein carbonyl in the PF, AMY and NAc, and mynocicline injection reversed this alteration. The TBARS was increased by stress in the PF, HIP and NAc, however, minocycline reversed the alteration in the PF and HIP. The Complex I was incrased in AMY by stress, and minocycline reversed this effect, however reduced Complex I activity in the NAc; Complex II reduced in PF and AMY by stress or minocycline; the Complex II-III increased in the HIP in stress plus minocycline treatment and in the NAc with minocycline; in the PF and HIP there were a reduced in Complex IV with stress and minocycline. The creatine kinase was reduced in AMY and NAc with stress and minocycline. In conclusion, minocycline presented neuroprotector effects by reducing oxidative damage and regulating energy metabolism in specific brain areas. | 25,112,549 | [
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How does mental-physical multimorbidity express itself in lived time and space? A phenomenological analysis of encounters with depression and chronic physical illness. | Mental-physical multimorbidity (the co-existence of mental and physical ill health) is highly prevalent and associated with significant impairments and high healthcare costs. While the sociology of chronic illness has developed a mature discourse on coping with long term physical illness the impact of mental and physical health have remained analytically separated, highlighting the need for a better understanding of the day-to-day complexities encountered by people living with mental-physical multimorbidity. We used the phenomenological paradigm of the lived body to elucidate how the experience of mental-physical multimorbidity shapes people's lifeworlds. Nineteen people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and depression (defined as a score ≥8 on depression scale of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were recruited from secondary NHS care and interviewed at their homes. Data were analysed phenomenologically using van Manen's lifeworld existential framework of the lived body, lived time, lived space, lived relations. Additionally, we re-analysed data (using the same framework) collected from 13 people recruited from secondary NHS care with either COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, or type 1 or type 2 diabetes and depression. The phenomenology of mental-physical multimorbidity was articulated through embodied and emotional encounters with day-to-day life in four ways: [a] participants' perception of lived time and lived space contracted; [b] time and [c] space were experienced as liminal categories, enforcing negative mood and temporal and spatial contraction; and [d] time and space could also be customised to reinstate agency and self-determination. Mental-physical multimorbidity negatively impacts on individuals' perceptions of lived time and lived space, leading to a loss of agency, heightened uncertainty, and poor well-being. Harnessing people's capacity to modify their experience of time and space may be a novel way to support people with mental-physical multimorbidity to live well with illness. | 25,112,565 | [
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Modeling satisfaction amongst the elderly in different Chinese urban neighborhoods. | Rapidly aging populations constitute a critical issue for researchers and policymakers across the world; the challenges of a shifting demographic structure are particularly pertinent in the case of China. Population control strategies implemented in China in the late 1970s have substantially changed the social and demographic structure of Chinese cities and the traditional role of families in caring for elderly people. To meet the growing needs of elderly residents "aging in place," age-friendly environments and new types of senior services are required and encouraged. This research examines the satisfaction of seniors in relation to the elderly services and living environments available to them, through empirical studies of six types of neighborhoods in Beijing. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), a satisfaction model under the Person-Environment Fit (P-E Fit) model framework was developed. This model considered the senior respondent's health status, economic attributes, family and social support networks, and neighborhood living environments. Social support was found to be the primary factor affecting satisfaction amongst the urban elderly in Beijing. The research also highlights the need to differentiate between different types of neighborhoods, which can differ significantly in terms of the socio-economic attributes (i.e., family structure, income, and education) of their senior residents. As such, based on the path coefficients revealed by different structural equation models of various neighborhoods, four types of neighborhoods were identified: in Type 1 neighborhoods, the neighborhood environment and the senior services provided by communities were primary factors in elderly satisfaction; in Type 2 neighborhoods, the satisfaction of inhabitants was strongly influenced by personal attributes such as health and income; Type 3 neighborhoods were residence of low-income people where the level of social support was the foremost factor; and in Type 4, social support and the environment were both essential. | 25,112,567 | [
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Predictors of suicides occurring within suicide clusters in Australia, 2004-2008. | A number of studies have investigated the presence of suicide clusters, but few have sought to identify risk and protective factors of a suicide occurring within a cluster. We aimed to identify socio-demographic and contextual characteristics of suicide clusters from national and regional analyses of suicide clusters. We searched the National Coroners Information System for all suicides in Australia from 2004 to 2008. Scan statistics were initially used to identify those deaths occurring within a spatial-temporal suicide cluster during the period. We then used logistic regression and generalized estimation equations to estimate the odds of each suicide occurring within a cluster differed by sex, age, marital status, employment status, Indigenous status, method of suicide and location. We identified 258 suicides out of 10,176 suicides during the period that we classified as being within a suicide cluster. When the deceased was Indigenous, living outside a capital city, or living in the northern part of Australia (in particular, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia) then there was an increased likelihood of their death occurring within a suicide cluster. These findings suggest that suicide clustering might be linked with geographical and Indigenous factors, which supported sociological explanations of suicide clustering. This finding is significant for justifying resource allocation for tackling suicide clustering in particular areas. | 25,112,568 | [
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Serum-induced neurite retraction in CAD cells--involvement of an ATP-actin retractile system and the lack of microtubule-associated proteins. | Cultured catecholamine-differentiated cells [which lack the microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs): MAP1B, MAP2, Tau, STOP, and Doublecortin] proliferate in the presence of fetal bovine serum, and, in its absence, cease dividing and generate processes similar to the neurites of normal neurons. The reintroduction of serum induces neurite retraction, and proliferation resumes. The neurite retraction process in catecholamine-differentiated cells was partially characterized in this study. Microtubules in the cells were found to be in a highly dynamic state, and tubulin in the microtubules consisted primarily of the tyrosinated and deacetylated isotypes. Increased levels of acetylated or Δ2-tubulin (which are normally absent) did not prevent serum-induced neurite retraction. Treatment of differentiated cells with lysophosphatidic acid or adenosine deaminase induced neurite retraction. Inhibition of Rho-associated protein kinase, ATP depletion and microfilament disruption each (individually) blocked serum-induced neurite retraction, suggesting that an ATP-dependent actomyosin system underlies the mechanism of neurite retraction. Nocodazole treatment induced neurite retraction, but this effect was blocked by pretreatment with the microtubule-stabilizing drug paclitaxel (Taxol). Paclitaxel did not prevent serum-induced or lysophosphatidic acid-induced retraction, suggesting that integrity of microtubules (despite their dynamic state) is necessary to maintain neurite elongation, and that paclitaxel-induced stabilization alone is not sufficient to resist the retraction force induced by serum. Transfection with green fluorescent protein-Tau conferred resistance to retraction caused by serum. We hypothesize that, in normal neurons (cultured or in vivo), MAPs are necessary not only to stabilize microtubules, but also to establish interactions with other cytoskeletal or membrane components to form a stable structure capable of resisting the retraction force. | 25,112,570 | [
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Sensitivity of the sea snail Gibbula umbilicalis to mercury exposure--linking endpoints from different biological organization levels. | Mercury contamination is a common phenomenon in the marine environment and for this reason it is important to develop cost-effective and relevant tools to assess its toxic effects on a number of different species. To evaluate the possible effects of Hg in the sea snail Gibbula umbilicalis, animals were exposed to increasing concentrations of the contaminant in the ionic form for 96 h. After this exposure period, mortality, feeding and flipping behavior, the activity of the biomarkers glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, lactate dehydrogenase and cholinesterase, the levels of lipid peroxidation and cellular energy allocation were measured. After 96 h of exposure to the highest Hg concentration (≈LC20), there was a significant inhibition of the cholinesterase activity as well as impairment in the flipping behavior and post-exposure feeding of the snails. Cholinesterase inhibition was correlated with the impairment of behavioral responses also caused by exposure to Hg. These endpoints, including the novel flipping test, revealed sensitivity to Hg and might be used as relevant early warning indicators of prospective effects at higher biological organization levels, making these parameters potential tools for environmental risk assessment. The proposed test species showed sensitivity to Hg and proved to be a suitable and resourceful species to be used in ecotoxicological testing to assess effects of other contaminants in marine ecosystems. | 25,112,574 | [
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Long-term manure application effects on phosphorus speciation, kinetics and distribution in highly weathered agricultural soils. | Phosphorus (P) K-edge XANES and Fe K-edge EXAFS spectroscopies along with sequential P chemical fractionation and desorption kinetics experiments, were employed to provide micro- and macro-scale information on the long-term fate of manure application on the solid-state speciation, kinetics and distribution of P in highly weathered agricultural soils of southern Brazil. Soil test P values ranged from 7.3 up to 16.5 times as much higher than the reference soil. A sharp increase in amorphous Fe and Al amounts were observed as an effect of the consecutive application of manures. Whereas our results showed that the P sorption capacity of some manured soils was not significantly affected, P risk assessment indices indicated that P losses should be expected, likely due to the excessive manure rates applied to the soils. The much higher contents of amorphous Fe and Al (hydr)oxides (55% and 80% increase with respect to the reference soil, respectively) in manured soils seem to have counterbalanced the inhibiting effect of soil organic matter on P sorption by creating additional P sorption sites. Accordingly, the newly created P sorbing surfaces were important to prevent an even larger P loss potential. Phosphorus K-edge XANES lent complimentary hints on the loss of crystallinity and transformation of originally present Fe-P minerals into poorly crystalline ones as an effect of manuring, whereas Fe K-edge EXAFS provided insights into the structural changes underwent in the soils upon manure application and soil management. | 25,112,576 | [
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Successful aging and subjective well-being among oldest-old adults. | This research integrates successful aging and developmental adaptation models to empirically define the direct and indirect effects of 2 distal (i.e., education and past life experiences) and 5 proximal influences (i.e., physical functioning, cognitive functioning, physical health impairment, social resources, and perceived economic status) on subjective well-being. The proximal influences involved predictors outlined in most extant models of successful aging (e.g., Rowe & Kahn, 1998 [Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1998). Successful aging. New York: Pantheon Books.]). Our model extends such models by including distal impact as well as interactions between distal and proximal impacts. Data were obtained from 234 centenarians and 72 octogenarians in the Georgia Centenarian Study. Structural equation modeling was conducted with Mplus 6.1. Results showed significant direct effects of physical health impairment and social resources on positive aspects of subjective well-being among oldest-old adults. We also found significant indirect effects of cognitive functioning and education on positive affect among oldest-old adults. Social resources mediated the relationship between cognitive functioning and positive affect; and cognitive functioning and social resources mediated the relationship between education and positive affect. In addition, physical health impairment mediated the relationship between cognitive functioning and positive affect; and cognitive functioning and physical health impairment mediated the relationship between education and positive affect. Integrating 2 different models (i.e., successful aging and developmental adaptation) provided a comprehensive view of adaptation from a developmental perspective. | 25,112,594 | [
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A new species of the genus Pethia from Mizoram, northeastern India (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). | The paper describes Pethia expletiforis, a new cyprinid species from the Ka-ao River, Kaladan drainage, Mizoram, India. It is distinguished from its congeners in the Chindwin-Irrawaddy and Ganga-Brahmaputra drainages by the combination of: a complete lateral line, nine predorsal scales, 12 circumpeduncular scales, ½4/1/3½ transverse scales, a black blotch on the caudal peduncle, and the absence of a humeral mark and barbels. | 25,112,614 | [
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A new cave-dwelling millipede of the genus Scutogona from central Portugal (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Chamaesomatidae). | A new cave-dwelling species of the genus Scutogona Ribuat, 1913, S. minor n. sp., is described from caves of Sicó karst in central Portugal. The classification and delimitation of Scutogona vis-à-vis related genera, in particular Meinerteuma Mauriès, 1982, is discussed. | 25,112,621 | [
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Revision of the Empis subgenus Enoplempis Bigot, east of the Rocky Mountains (Diptera: Empididae). | The Empis subgenus Enoplempis Bigot, east of the Rocky Mountains of North America is revised. A total of 19 species are recorded from this region including seven new species: E. (En.) amytis Walker, E. (En.) appalachicola Sinclair sp. nov., E. (En.) arthritica Melander, E. (En.) ctenonema Melander, E. (En.) enodis Melander, E. (En.) gladiator Melander, E. (En.) gulosa Coquillett, E. (En.) loripedis Coquillett, E. (En.) montywoodi Brooks sp. nov., E. (En.) nodipoplitea Steyskal, E. (En.) nuda Loew, E. (En.) pectinata Sinclair sp. nov., E. (En.) penicillata Brooks sp. nov., E. (En.) prodigiosa Cumming sp. nov., E. (En.) snoddyi Steyskal, E. (En.) stenoptera Loew, E. (En.) tridentata Coquillett, E. (En.) vockerothi Cumming sp. nov., E. (En.) volsella Sinclair sp. nov. The following new synonymies are designated: E. (En.) longipes Loew, E. (En.) longeoblita Steyskal, E. (En.) deterra Walley = E. (En.) amytis; E. (En.) cacuminifer Melander = E. (En.) gulosa. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: E. (En.) arthritica, E. (En.) cacuminifer, E. (En.) ctenonema, E. (En.) enodis, E. (En.) gladiator, E. (En.) loripedis, E. (En.) stenoptera and E. (En.) tridentata. A key to eastern species is presented and distributions illustrated. The form of nuptial gift presentation displayed within this group, including the use of balloons (with or without prey) and unwrapped prey are indicated for species when known. | 25,112,640 | [
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Review of the genus Cystocnemis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) with descriptions of two new species . | Two new species of Cystocnemis (s. str.) Motschulsky, 1860 namely C. levmedvedevi sp. nov. and C. zintshenkoi sp. nov. are described from the Mongolian Altai (Mongolia, Hovd aimag) and Southern Altai (Kazakhstan, East-Kazakhstan region) respectively. Generic diagnosis as well as key to species and subspecies of Cystocnemis are provided. Zoogeographical affinities of Entomoscelini are discussed. | 25,112,645 | [
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Testing departure from additivity in Tukey's model using shrinkage: application to a longitudinal setting. | While there has been extensive research developing gene-environment interaction (GEI) methods in case-control studies, little attention has been given to sparse and efficient modeling of GEI in longitudinal studies. In a two-way table for GEI with rows and columns as categorical variables, a conventional saturated interaction model involves estimation of a specific parameter for each cell, with constraints ensuring identifiability. The estimates are unbiased but are potentially inefficient because the number of parameters to be estimated can grow quickly with increasing categories of row/column factors. On the other hand, Tukey's one-degree-of-freedom model for non-additivity treats the interaction term as a scaled product of row and column main effects. Because of the parsimonious form of interaction, the interaction estimate leads to enhanced efficiency, and the corresponding test could lead to increased power. Unfortunately, Tukey's model gives biased estimates and low power if the model is misspecified. When screening multiple GEIs where each genetic and environmental marker may exhibit a distinct interaction pattern, a robust estimator for interaction is important for GEI detection. We propose a shrinkage estimator for interaction effects that combines estimates from both Tukey's and saturated interaction models and use the corresponding Wald test for testing interaction in a longitudinal setting. The proposed estimator is robust to misspecification of interaction structure. We illustrate the proposed methods using two longitudinal studies-the Normative Aging Study and the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. | 25,112,650 | [
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Attitude of physiotherapy students in Nigeria toward persons with disability. | Attitudes of students of health care professions, such as physiotherapy, toward persons with disability may influence their attitude and practice post-qualification. To examine attitudes toward persons with disability among undergraduate physiotherapy students in Universities in Nigeria. The 30-item Attitudes toward Disabled Persons--Form A (ATDP-A) scale was used to assess the attitudes of penultimate and final year physiotherapy students in 3 Nigerian universities. Overall and item-by-item analyzes of responses to the ATDP-A scale were carried out. Differences in attitude by sex, age, year and university of study were also examined using independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. One hundred and sixty-nine students with a male majority (56.2%) participated in the study. Mean score on the ATDP-A was 94.95 ± 17.50 with more students (60.4%) having a score >90 which depicts positive attitude. Item-by-item analysis of responses to the 30 items on the ATDP-A showed that negative attitudes were preponderant on items relating to the emotional component of the personality of persons with disability. Only age of students and their university of study however resulted in statistically significant differences in attitudes and older students reported better attitudes toward persons with disability. Although the overall attitude of the physiotherapy students was positive, negative stereotypes and discriminatory tendencies were observed in issues relating to the perceived emotional capacity of persons with disabilities. Educational strategies capable of effecting more positive attitudes in physiotherapy students in Nigeria toward persons with disability are urgently needed. | 25,112,654 | [
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Chronic Stress Decreases Basal Levels of Memory-Related Signaling Molecules in Area CA1 of At-Risk (Subclinical) Model of Alzheimer's Disease. | An important factor that may affect the severity and time of onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is chronic stress. Epidemiological studies report that chronically stressed individuals are at an increased risk for developing AD. The purpose of this study was to reveal whether chronic psychosocial stress could hasten the appearance of AD symptoms including changes in basal levels of cognition-related signaling molecules in subjects who are at risk for the disease. We investigated the effect of chronic psychosocial stress on basal levels of memory-related signaling molecules in area CA1 of subclinical rat model of AD. The subclinical symptomless rat model of AD was induced by osmotic pump continuous intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of 160 pmol/day Aβ1-42 for 14 days. Rats were chronically stressed using the psychosocial stress intruder model. Western blot analysis of basal protein levels of important signaling molecules in hippocampal area CA1 showed no significant difference between the subclinical AD rat model and control rat. Following six weeks of psychosocial stress, molecular analysis showed that subclinical animals subjected to stress have significantly reduced basal levels of p-CaMKII and decreased p-CaMKII/t-CaMKII ratio as well as decreased basal levels of p-CREB, total CREB, and BDNF. The present results suggest that these changes in basal levels of signaling molecules may be responsible for impaired learning, memory, and LTP in this rat model, which support the proposition that chronic stress may accelerate the emergence of AD in susceptible individuals. | 25,112,676 | [
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Subcellular neural probes from single-crystal gold nanowires. | Size reduction of neural electrodes is essential for improving the functionality of neuroprosthetic devices, developing potent therapies for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, and long-term brain–computer interfaces. Typical neural electrodes are micromanufactured devices with dimensions ranging from tens to hundreds of micrometers. Their further miniaturization is necessary to reduce local tissue damage and chronic immunological reactions of the brain. Here we report the neural electrode with subcellular dimensions based on single-crystalline gold nanowires (NWs) with a diameter of ∼100 nm. Unique mechanical and electrical properties of defect-free gold NWs enabled their implantation and recording of single neuron-activities in a live mouse brain despite a ∼50× reduction of the size compared to the closest analogues. Reduction of electrode dimensions enabled recording of neural activity with improved spatial resolution and differentiation of brain activity in response to different social situations for mice. The successful localization of the epileptic seizure center was also achieved using a multielectrode probe as a demonstration of the diagnostics potential of NW electrodes. This study demonstrated the realism of single-neuron recording using subcellular-sized electrodes that may be considered a pivotal point for use in diverse studies of chronic brain diseases. | 25,112,683 | [
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Association of Clostridium difficile infections with acid suppression medications in children. | Multiple studies have confirmed associations between acid suppression medication and Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) in adults. Therefore, we sought to evaluate an association between acid suppression medications and CDI in children. A retrospective self-controlled case series was performed utilizing billing records from the TRICARE Management Activity military health system database. Children ages 2-18 years from October 1, 2001 to July 31, 2013, who had an outpatient or inpatient record of CDI diagnosis were included. The relative incidences (RIs) of CDI or recurrent CDI were calculated comparing time periods prescribed and not prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs). There were 2531 cases of CDI among 2437 patients, and 1190 (48.8%) were prescribed acid suppression medications. CDI were more likely to occur during periods when patients were prescribed a PPI (RI 2.36; 95% CI 2.22-2.52), H2RA (RI 1.95; 95% CI 1.63-2.34), or during periods while prescribed both simultaneously (RI 2.40; 95% CI 1.90-3.04). There were 265 (10.4%) cases that were classified as recurrent among 217 (8.9%) patients. Recurrent CDI also was found to be more likely during prescription periods of PPI (RI 1.74; 95% CI 1.51-2.00) and H2RA (RI 2.63; 95% CI 1.89-3.66). Acid suppression medications are associated with an increased risk of CDI and recurrent CDI. Judicious use of acid suppression medication should be considered, especially among those at highest risk for CDI. | 25,112,692 | [
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Declining trends in alcohol consumption among Swedish youth-does the theory of collectivity of drinking cultures apply? | To analyse trends in alcohol consumption among young people in Sweden between 2004 and 2012, to test whether the theory of collectivity of drinking cultures is valid for a population of young people and to investigate the impact of an increasing proportion of abstainers on the overall per capita trends. Data were drawn from an annual survey of a nationally representative sample of students in year 11 (17-18 years old). The data covered 9 years and the total sample comprised 36,141 students. Changes in the overall per capita consumption were tested using linear regression on log-transformed data, and changes in abstention rates were tested using logistic regression. The analyses were then continued by calculating average consumption in deciles. Alcohol consumption among year 11 students declined significantly among both boys and girls between 2004 and 2012. These changes were reflected at all levels of consumption, and the same results were found when abstainers were excluded from the analyses. The increasing proportion of abstainers had a minimal effect on the overall decline in consumption; rather, this was driven by a decline in consumption among the heaviest drinkers. The theory of collectivity of drinking cultures seems valid for understanding changes in alcohol consumption among Swedish year 11 students. No support was found for a polarization of alcohol consumption in this nationally representative sample. | 25,112,702 | [
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The histological quality and adequacy of diminutive colorectal polyps resected using jumbo versus hot biopsy forceps. | Polypectomy with jumbo forceps (JF) and polypectomy with hot biopsy forceps (HBF) are still widely used techniques for removal of diminutive colorectal polyps (DCPs). JF may be more effective for the removal of DCPs because of their larger size. To evaluate the histological quality and adequacy of DCPs resected using JF compared with HBF. One hundred and seventy-nine patients with 237 DCPs were included in this study. DCPs were removed using either JP or HBF. The tissue architecture was good in 29.9 % of the HBF group, in comparison with 90 % of the JF group (p < 0.001). No cautery damage or crash artifact was observed in 93.3 % of JF group and in 8.5 % of HBF group (p < 0.001). Moreover, there were statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to the high level of cautery damage or crush artifact (p < 0.001). The overall diagnostic quality of the specimens removed using JF was significantly better than that of the specimens removed by HBF (96 vs. 80 %, respectively, p < 0.001). There were statistically significant inverse associations between cautery damage or crush artifact and overall diagnostic quality of HBF and JF (r = -0.373, p < 0.001; r = -0.382, p < 0.001, respectively). Surgical margins were determined as negative in 87.5 % of the JF group and in 76.1 % of the HBF group (p = 0.022). A total of 80.8 % of the JF specimens and 30.8 % of the HBF specimens were well evaluated for two lateral and deep surgical margins (p < 0.001). JF was superior to HBF for histopathological interpretation and eradication of DCPs. | 25,112,723 | [
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DNA damage accumulation and repair defects in acute myeloid leukemia: implications for pathogenesis, disease progression, and chemotherapy resistance. | DNA damage repair mechanisms are vital to maintain genomic integrity. Mutations in genes involved in the DNA damage response (DDR) can increase the risk of developing cancer. In recent years, a variety of polymorphisms in DDR genes have been associated with increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or of disease relapse. Moreover, a growing body of literature has indicated that epigenetic silencing of DDR genes could contribute to the leukemogenic process. In addition, a variety of AML oncogenes have been shown to induce replication and oxidative stress leading to accumulation of DNA damage, which affects the balance between proliferation and differentiation. Conversely, upregulation of DDR genes can provide AML cells with escape mechanisms to the DDR anticancer barrier and induce chemotherapy resistance. The current review summarizes the DDR pathways in the context of AML and describes how aberrant DNA damage response can affect AML pathogenesis, disease progression, and resistance to standard chemotherapy, and how defects in DDR pathways may provide a new avenue for personalized therapeutic strategies in AML. | 25,112,726 | [
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Female fetus is associated with greater maternal insulin resistance in pregnancy. | To explore the hypothesis that female fetus is associated with greater maternal insulin resistance during pregnancy. In a singleton pregnancy cohort study (n = 299), we compared maternal insulin resistance according to fetal sex, based on plasma biomarkers from a 50-g 1-h oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks gestation. The primary outcome was plasma glucose-to-insulin ratio. Other outcomes included plasma proinsulin-to-insulin ratio, and insulin, proinsulin, leptin, adiponectin and insulin-like growth factor I and II concentrations. After adjusting for maternal race, age, parity, education, pre-pregnancy BMI, smoking and alcohol use, history of gestational diabetes, and gestational age at blood sampling, plasma insulin concentrations were significantly higher (mean ± sd: 66.4 ± 50.5 vs. 51.0 ± 46.1 mU/l; adjusted P = 0.001), and glucose-to-insulin ratios significantly lower (2.60 ± 2.03 vs. 3.77 ± 4.98 mg/dl/mU/l; adjusted P = 0.002) in women bearing a female vs those bearing a male fetus, despite similar glucose levels (116.4 ± 27.2 vs. 117.0 ± 31.9 mg/dl; adjusted P = 0.92).There were no significant differences in proinsulin-to-insulin ratios, or leptin, adiponectin, insulin-like growth factor I and insulin-like growth factor II concentrations by fetal sex. Female fetus may be associated with greater maternal insulin resistance during pregnancy. | 25,112,731 | [
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New species of the genus Jacekaphorura (Collembola: Onychiuridae) from upper reaches of Kolyma river (North-East of Russia). | Two new species of the genus Jacekaphorura from the North-East of Russia, viz. J. catherinae sp. nov. and J. furcata sp. nov., were described and illustrated. The former species clearly differs from the only previously known species of the genus by a high and variable number of dorsal pso, the latter can easily be distinguished due to specific structure of furcal remnant. The generic diagnosis and position within modern tribal subdivision of the Onychiurinae are discussed. | 25,112,738 | [
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Cuapetes yapiensis sp. nov. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pontoniinae), a new mangrove shrimp from Yap, Caroline Islands. | A new pontoniine shrimp species, Cuapetes yapiensis, from mangroves at Quamun, on Yap Island, Caroline Islands, is described and illustrated. Cuapetes yapiensis most closely resembles C. darwiniensis Bruce. Six species of Cuapetes are now known from the Caroline Islands. | 25,112,743 | [
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New Mycomya species from the Himalayas (Diptera, Mycetophilidae): 3. Subgenera Cesamya and Mycomyopsis. | Mycomya Rondani specimens from the Himalayas, mostly Nepal and Myanmar, are revised. Altogether four species of the subgenus Cesamya Koçak & Kemal and eleven species of the subgenus Mycomyopsis Väisänen are recorded from the Himalayas and the Indian subcontinent. The paper includes a key to the Himalayan species of Mycomya of the two subgenera. The following fourteen new species are described: M. aix, M. alticola, M. banteng, M. cissa, M. ducula, M. irena, M. goral, M. jeti, M. kaa, M. naja, M. niltava, M. pitta, M. sachak, and M. sanar. The holotype of M. unipectinata Edwards from Sri Lanka was also examined and its genitalia are described. | 25,112,744 | [
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Studies on the chorionic structure of the eggs of Corixoidea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) with scanning electron microscopy. | The chorionic structure of the eggs of sixteen species of Corixoidea (Ectemnostega (Ectemnostega) quadrata (Signoret), E. (Ectemnostegella) quechua (Bachmann), Trichocorixa mendozana Jaczewski, Centrocorisa kollari (Fieber), Heterocorixa brasiliensis Hungerford, Sigara (Aphelosigara) tucma Bachmann, S. (Tropocorixa) denseconscripta (Breddin), S. (T.) platensis Bachmann, S. (T.) rubyae (Hungerford), S. (T.) santiagiensis (Hungerford), S. (T.) schadei (Hungerford), S. (T.) yala Bachmann, Tenagobia (Incertagobia) incerta Lundblad, T. (Fuscagobia) fuscata (Stål), T. (Schadeogobia) schadei Lundblad, and T. (Tenagobia) pulchra Hungerford) is described for the first time using scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the eggs of some of these species are described based on color and morphometry. The sculpturing of the chorion and the structure of the micropylar area here in studied using scanning electron microscopy together with the length of the stalk distinguish the eggs of the genera (except Sigara, genus without a uniform pattern on the sculpturing of the chorion) and subgenera (including Aphelosigara and Tropocorixa) of Corixoidea present in Argentina. The above mentioned characters, together with the egg length, proved to be useful for the identification of the Argentinian species. An identification key to the eggs of Argentinian species of Corixoidea based on the material herein studied, and additional data present in the literature, is provided. | 25,112,751 | [
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Four new species of genus Parallaxis McAtee (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Dikraneurini) from Argentina, with a key to known species. | Four new species of Parallaxis McAtee are described from Argentina, P. jujuiensis sp. n., P. misionensis sp. n., P. tucumanensis sp. n. and P. virlai sp. n. Detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations of the new species and a key to males of known species are provided. | 25,112,752 | [
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Description of a new Tiger Snake (Colubridae, Telescopus) from south-western Africa. | Telescopus finkeldeyi sp. nov. is described from western central to northern Namibia and south-western Angola. Its maximum size is less than that of the other three taxa occurring in southern Africa. It is further distinguished by its fairly variable colour pattern. Although the number of ventrals and the undivided anal scale are similar to that of T. beetzii, the presence of 19 scale rows around the middle differs from the 21 rows of T. beetzii. | 25,112,755 | [
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Annotated list of Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) from the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania and new Tettigoniidae species from East Africa. | A list of the Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) of the East Usambara Mountains is presented and 16 new species are described from East Africa. A total number of 29 Tettigoniidae species is recorded for the East Usambara Mountains. New species are described from the Shimba Hills in Kenya, coastal Tanzania from the Kazimzumbwi forest reserve, Mt Kilimanjaro, the East and West Usambara and Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania, namely in Conocephalinae Afroagraecia pwania n. sp., Afroagraecia shimbaensis n. sp., Afroanthracites discolor n. sp., Afroanthracites jagoi n. sp. and Afroanthracites viridis n. sp., in Meconematinae Afrophisis flagellata n. sp., Afrophisis kisarawe n. sp., Afrophisis mazumbaiensis n. sp. and Afrophisis pseudoflagellata n. sp., in Hexacentrinae Aerotegmina megaloptera n. sp., in Mecopodinae Apteroscirtus cristatus n. sp., and A. planidorsatus n. sp., in Phaneropterinae Gelotopoia amabilis n. sp., and in Pseudophyllinae Cymatomerella pardopunctata n. sp. and Cymatomera viridimaculata n. sp. Seven species are endemic to the East Usambara Mountains which are 25% of the recorded forest-bound bush crickets. The Tettigoniidae fauna is compared between the East Usambara Mountains and Mt Kilimanjaro and mechanisms of speciation discussed in Orthoptera for the area. New Tettigoniidae records are given for Mt Kilimanjaro (Oxyecous apertus Ragge, Tropidonotacris grandis Ragge and Eurycorypha conclusa Hemp). | 25,112,758 | [
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Influences of age, gender, and circadian rhythm on deceleration capacity in subjects without evident heart diseases. | Deceleration capacity (DC) is a newly found predictor of mortality after myocardial infarction. Age-, gender-, and circadian rhythm-related differences in DC may limit its predictive value, which should be considered in clinical settings. DC, average heart rate, and HRV parameters, including 24 hours, awaking state (15:00-20:00) and sleeping mode (00:00-05:00) strips from 24 hours Holter recordings in 636 subjects without heart diseases were examined. Heart rate variability was analyzed in time domains (standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals [SDNN], normal-to-normal RR intervals in all 5-minute segments [SDANN], and root mean square successive difference [RMSSD]). The DC, SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, and heart rate decreased with age. Deceleration capacity was significantly lower in patients greater than 50 years of age. The largest decrease of SDNN, SDANN, and RMSSD occurred in patients 30-39 years of age. The values of SDNN, SDANN, and DC of women were lower than that of men in the young and middle-aged groups, but age-related decrease of DC in men was greater than that in women. Heart rate of women was significantly higher than that of men in younger subjects, especially in a sleeping mode. There were higher values of DC and RMSSD during sleeping than that during a waking state. The age, gender, and circadian rhythm may be useful when evaluating cardiac autonomic function and need to be considered when evaluating DC and HRV in clinical and scientific researches. | 25,112,779 | [
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The relationship between self-injurious behavior and self-disclosure in adolescents with eating disorders. | The aim of the current study is to examine the association between self disclosure and self-injurious behaviors among adolescent patients diagnosed with an eating disorder. Sixty three female patients who fulfilled the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria of eating disorders were included (i.e. anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and eating disorders not otherwise specified). Participants' age ranged from 11.5 to 20 years (M = 15.42, SD = 1.82). Participants completed self- report questionnaires about eating disorders, self-disclosure, self-injurious behaviors (FASM) and depression (BDI-II) RESULTS: 82.5% of the sample endorsed severe self-injurious behaviors. A moderate negative relationship was found between general disclosure to parents and self-injurious behaviors indicating that patients who generally self-disclose to their parents (on different topics, apart from suicidal ideation) engage less frequently in self-injurious behaviors. In addition, the more patients self-disclose their suicidal ideation to others, the more they tend to self-injure. Self-disclosure to parents on any topic may buffer against self-injurious behaviors and therefore it is important to work with adolescents suffering from eating disorders on effective self disclosure. In addition, self-disclosure about suicidal ideation to others by adolescents suffering from eating disorders should always be taken seriously, since it may be related to self-injurious behaviors. | 25,112,791 | [
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Comparison of virtual bronchoscopy to fiber-optic bronchoscopy for assessment of inhalation injury severity. | Compare virtual bronchoscopy (VB) to fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) for scoring smoke inhalation injury (SII). Swine underwent computerized tomography (CT) with VB and FOB before (0) and 24 and 48 h after SII. VB and FOB images were scored by 5 providers off line. FOB and VB scores increased over time (p<0.001) with FOB scoring higher than VB at 0 (0.30±0.79 vs. 0.03±0.17), 24 h (4.21±1.68 vs. 2.47±1.50), and 48h (4.55±1.83 vs. 1.94±1.29). FOB and VB showed association with PaO2-to-FiO2 ratios (PFR) with areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC): for PFR≤300, VB 0.830, FOB 0.863; for PFR≤200, VB 0.794, FOB 0.825; for PFR≤100, VB 0.747, FOB 0.777 (all p<0.001). FOB showed 80.3% specificity, 77% sensitivity, 88.8% negative-predictive value (NPV), and 62.3% positive-predictive value (PPV) for PFR≤300 and VB showed 67.2% specificity, 85.5% sensitivity, 91.3% NPV, and 53.4% PPV. VB provided similar injury severity scores to FOB, correlated with PFR, and reliably detected airway narrowing. VB performed during admission CT may be a useful screening tool specifically to demonstrate airway narrowing induced by SII. | 25,112,807 | [
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8-year follow-up of central giant cell lesion mimicking apical periodontitis. | Lesions of nonendodontic origin may mimic apical periodontitis. Central giant cell lesions (CGCLs) are aggressive or nonaggressive benign idiopathic intraosseous lesions of the jaw. This report describes a case of a CGCL in the periapical region of teeth #21-#26 of a 17-year-old female who sought orthodontic care because of a change in the position of tooth #23. Clinical examination revealed mild facial asymmetry caused by increased volume in the mental region and cortical bone expansion but no cortical disruption. A panoramic radiograph showed a well-defined radiolucent osteolytic lesion involving teeth #21-#26. The cortical bone was not affected, and there was no root resorption. Incisional biopsy was performed, and the diagnosis was a CGCL. The lesion was enucleated surgically. CGCLs should be included in the differential diagnosis of jaw lesions that mimic apical periodontitis. The patient subsequently underwent orthodontic treatment successfully. The 8-year clinical and radiographic follow-up confirmed lesion remission, no recurrence, and pulp vitality of all teeth. | 25,112,811 | [
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Application of water footprint combined with a unified virtual crop pattern to evaluate crop water productivity in grain production in China. | Water shortages are detrimental to China's grain production while food production consumes a great deal of water causing water crises and ecological impacts. Increasing crop water productivity (CWP) is critical, so China is devoting significant resources to develop water-saving agricultural systems based on crop planning and agricultural water conservation planning. A comprehensive CWP index is necessary for such planning. Existing indices such as water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation efficiency (IE) have limitations and are not suitable for the comprehensive evaluation of CWP. The water footprint (WF) index, calculated using effective precipitation and local water use, has advantages for CWP evaluation. Due to regional differences in crop patterns making the CWP difficult to compare directly across different regions, a unified virtual crop pattern is needed to calculate the WF. This project calculated and compared the WF of each grain crop and the integrated WFs of grain products with actual and virtual crop patterns in different regions of China for 2010. The results showed that there were significant differences for the WF among different crops in the same area or among different areas for the same crop. Rice had the highest WF at 1.39 m(3)/kg, while corn had the lowest at 0.91 m(3)/kg among the main grain crops. The WF of grain products was 1.25 m(3)/kg in China. Crop patterns had an important impact on WF of grain products because significant differences in WF were found between actual and virtual crop patterns in each region. The CWP level can be determined based on the WF of a virtual crop pattern, thereby helping optimize spatial distribution of crops and develop agricultural water savings to increase CWP. | 25,112,819 | [
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Asthma and asthma related symptoms in 23,326 Chinese children in relation to indoor and outdoor environmental factors: the Seven Northeastern Cities (SNEC) Study. | Both the levels and patterns of outdoor and indoor air pollutants have changed dramatically during the last decade in China. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of the present air pollution on the health of Chinese children. This study examines the association between outdoor and indoor air pollution and respiratory diseases among children living in Liaoning, a heavy industrial province of China. A cross-sectional study of 23,326 Chinese children aged 6 to 13 years was conducted in 25 districts of 7 cities in Northeast China during 2009. Three-year (2006-2008) average concentrations of particles with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤10 μm (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxides (NO2), and ozone (O3) were calculated from monitoring stations in each of the 25 districts. We used two-level logistic regression models to examine the effects of yearly variations in exposure to each pollutant, controlling for important covariates. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher for those dwelling close to a busy road, those living near smokestacks or factories, those living with smokers, those living in one-story houses typically with small yards, and those with home renovation, bedroom carpet or pets. Ventilation device use was associated with decreased odds of asthma in children. The adjusted odds ratio for diagnosed-asthma was 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-1.45) per 31 μg/m(3) increase in PM10, 1.23 (95%CI, 1.14-1.32) per 21 μg/m(3) increase in SO2, 1.25 (95%CI, 1.16-1.36) per 10 μg/m(3) increase in NO2, and 1.31 (95%CI, 1.21-1.41) per 23 μg/m(3) increase in O3, respectively. Outdoor and indoor air pollution was associated with an increased likelihood of respiratory morbidity among Chinese children. | 25,112,820 | [
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Potential effects of large linear pipeline construction on soil and vegetation in ecologically fragile regions. | Long-distance pipeline construction results in marked human disturbance of the regional ecosystem and brings into question the safety of pipeline construction with respect to the environment. Thus, the direct environmental impact and proper handling of such large projects have received much attention. The potential environmental effects, however, have not been fully addressed, particularly for large linear pipeline projects, and the threshold of such effects is unclear. In this study, two typical eco-fragile areas in western China, where large linear construction projects have been conducted, were chosen as the case study areas. Soil quality indices (SQI) and vegetation indices (VI), representing the most important potential effects, were used to analyze the scope of the effect of large pipeline construction on the surrounding environment. These two indices in different buffer zones along the pipeline were compared against the background values. The analysis resulted in three main findings. First, pipeline construction continues to influence the nearby eco-environment even after a 4-year recovery period. During this period, the effect on vegetation due to pipeline construction reaches 300 m beyond the working area, and is much larger in distance than the effect on soil, which is mainly confined to within 30 m either side of the pipeline, indicating that vegetation is more sensitive than soil to this type of human disturbance. However, the effect may not reach beyond 500 m from the pipeline. Second, the scope of the effect in terms of distance on vegetation may also be determined by the frequency of disturbance and the intensity of the pipeline construction. The greater the number of pipelines in an area, the higher the construction intensity and the more frequent the disturbance. Frequent disturbance may expand the effect on vegetation on both sides of the pipeline, but not on soil quality. Third, the construction may eliminate the stable, resident plant community. During the recovery period, the plant community in the work area of the pipeline is replaced by some species that are rare or uncommon in the resident plant community because of human disturbance, thereby increasing the plant diversity in the work area. In terms of plant succession, the duration of the recovery period has a direct effect on the composition and structure of the plant community. The findings provide a theoretical basis and scientific foundation for improving the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of oil and gas pipeline construction as it pertains to the desert steppe ecosystem, and provide a reference point for recovery and management of the eco-environment during the pipeline construction period. | 25,112,841 | [
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Cause-specific mortality by race in low-income Black and White people with Type 2 diabetes. | To investigate, with extended follow-up, cause-specific mortality among low-income Black and White Americans with Type 2 diabetes who have similar socio-economic status. Black and White Americans aged 40-79 years with Type 2 diabetes (n = 12 498) were recruited from community health centres as part of the Southern Community Cohort Study. Multivariable Cox analysis was used to estimate mortality hazard ratios and 95% CIs for subsequent cause-specific mortality, based on both underlying and contributing causes of death. During the follow-up (median 5.9 years), 13.3% of the study population died. The leading causes of death in each race were ischaemic heart disease, respiratory disorders, cancer, renal failure and heart failure; however, Blacks were at a lower risk of dying from ischaemic heart disease (hazard ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.54-0.91) or respiratory disorders (hazard ratio 0.70, 0.53-0.92) than Whites but had higher or similar mortality attributable to renal failure (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.02-2.40), heart failure (hazard ratio 1.47, 95% CI 0.98-2.19) and cancer (hazard ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.62-1.22). Risk factors for each cause of death were generally similar in each race. These findings suggest that the leading causes of death and their risk factors are largely similar among Black and White Americans with diabetes. For the two leading causes of death in each race, however, ischaemic heart disease and respiratory disorders, the magnitude of risk is lower among Black Americans and contributes to their higher survival rates. | 25,112,863 | [
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Deferiprone in Friedreich ataxia: a 6-month randomized controlled trial. | We conducted a 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess safety, tolerability, and efficacy of deferiprone in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA). Seventy-two patients were treated with deferiprone 20, 40, or 60mg/kg/day or placebo, divided into 2 daily doses. Safety was the primary objective; secondary objectives included standardized neurological assessments (Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale [FARS], International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale [ICARS], 9-Hole Peg Test [9HPT], Timed 25-Foot Walk, Low-Contrast Letter Acuity), general functional status (Activities of Daily Living), and cardiac assessments. Deferiprone was well tolerated at 20mg/kg/day, whereas more adverse events occurred in the 40mg/kg/day than in the placebo group. The 60mg/kg/day dose was discontinued due to worsening of ataxia in 2 patients. One patient on deferiprone 20mg/kg/day experienced reversible neutropenia, but none developed agranulocytosis. Deferiprone-treated patients receiving 20 or 40mg/kg/day showed a decline in the left ventricular mass index, compared to an increase in the placebo-treated patients. Patients receiving 20mg/kg/day of deferiprone had no significant change in FARS, similar to the placebo-treated patients, whereas those receiving 40mg/kg/day had worsening in FARS and ICARS scores. The lack of deterioration in the placebo arm impaired the ability to detect any potential protective effect of deferiprone. However, subgroup analyses in patients with less severe disease suggested a benefit of deferiprone 20mg/kg/day on ICARS, FARS, kinetic function, and 9HPT. This study demonstrated an acceptable safety profile of deferiprone at 20mg/kg/day for the treatment of patients with FRDA. Subgroup analyses raise the possibility that, in patients with less severe disease, deferiprone 20mg/kg/day may reduce disease progression, whereas higher doses appear to worsen ataxia. | 25,112,865 | [
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Purification of Chitinase enzymes from Bacillus subtilis bacteria TV-125, investigation of kinetic properties and antifungal activity against Fusarium culmorum. | Chitin is the main structural component of cell walls of fungi, exoskeletons of insects and other arthropods and shells of crustaceans. Chitinase enzyme is capable of degrading chitin, and this enzyme can be used as a biological fungicide against phytopathogenic fungi, as well as an insecticide against insect pests. In this study, 158 isolates, which were derived from bacteria cultures isolated from leaves and root rhizospheres of certain plants in Turkey, were selected after confirming that they are not phytopathogenic based on the hypersensitivity test performed on tobacco; and antifungal activity test was performed against Fusarium culmorum, which is a pathogenic fungi that cause decomposition of roots of vegetables. Accordingly, chitinase enzyme activity assay was performed on 31 isolates that have an antifungal activity, and among them the isolate of Bacillus subtilis TV-125 was selected, which has demonstrated the highest activity. Chitinase enzyme was purified by using ammonium sulphate and DEAE-sephadex ion exchange chromatography. Ammonium sulphate precipitation of chitinase enzyme from Bacillus subtilis TV-125 isolate was performed at maximum range of 0-20%, and 28.4-fold purification was obtained with a 13.4% of yield. Optimum activity of the purified enzyme was observed at pH 4.0 and at 50°C of temperature. In addition, it was identified that Bacillus subtilis TV-125A isolate retains 42% of its activity at 80°C temperature. In the last phase of the study, chitinase enzyme purified from Bacillus subtilis TV-125A was tested on four fungal agents, although all the results were positive, it was particularly effective on F. culmorum according to the findings. | 25,112,904 | [
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Phylogenetic analysis and evolutionary origins of DNA polymerase X-family members. | Mammalian DNA polymerase (pol) β is the founding member of a large group of DNA polymerases now termed the X-family. DNA polymerase β has been kinetically, structurally, and biologically well characterized and can serve as a phylogenetic reference. Accordingly, we have performed a phylogenetic analysis to understand the relationship between pol β and other members of the X-family of DNA polymerases. The bacterial X-family DNA polymerases, Saccharomyces cerevisiae pol IV, and four mammalian X-family polymerases appear to be directly related. These enzymes originated from an ancient common ancestor characterized in two Bacillus species. Understanding distinct functions for each of the X-family polymerases, evolving from a common bacterial ancestor is of significant interest in light of the specialized roles of these enzymes in DNA metabolism. | 25,112,931 | [
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Tissue engineering of electrically responsive tissues using polyaniline based polymers: a review. | Conducting polymers have found numerous applications as biomaterial components serving to effectively deliver electrical signals from an external source to the seeded cells. Several cell types including cardiomyocytes, neurons, and osteoblasts respond to electrical signals by improving their functional outcomes. Although a wide variety of conducting polymers are available, polyaniline (PANI) has emerged as a popular choice due to its attractive properties such as ease of synthesis, tunable conductivity, environmental stability, and biocompatibility. PANI in its pure form has exhibited biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo, and has been combined with a host of biodegradable polymers to form composites having a range of mechanical, electrical, and surface properties. Moreover, recent studies in literature report on the functionalization of polyaniline oligomers with end segments that make it biodegradable and improve its biocompatibility, two properties which make these materials highly desirable for applications in tissue engineering. This review will discuss the features and properties of PANI based composites that make them effective biomaterials, and it provides a comprehensive summary of studies where the use of PANI as a biomaterial component has enhanced cellular function and behavior. We also discuss recent studies utilizing functionalized PANI oligomers, and conclude that electroactive PANI and its derivatives show great promise in eliciting favorable responses from various cell lines that respond to electrical stimuli, and are therefore effective biomaterials for the engineering of electrically responsive biological tissues and organs. | 25,112,936 | [
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[The EDQM Biological Standardisation Programme for the development of methods and reference preparations]. | The Biological Standardisation Programme (BSP) of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) was founded in 1992 with the objective to provide the necessary tools for the quality controls prescribed by the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.). The BSP accomplishes this task by establishing reference standards and materials, as well as standardised control methods. A key aspect of BSP's work on development of methods is the validation of methods which can replace Ph. Eur. tests involving animals. The current area of work includes vaccines (for human and animal use), medicines produced from human plasma, hormones, cytokines, allergens, as well as reference materials and methods for determination of impurities and contaminations. BSP closely collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and national authorities; many reference standards are established in joint projects with WHO. Participants of studies for establishing of reference materials and methods are mainly national control laboratories and manufacturers. BSP has to date run 131 projects, whereby 121 reference materials were established. Method development was the objective of 38 projects, with 21 thereof aiming at replacement of animal tests. BSP is funded by the EDQM (Council of Europe) and by the European Commission. With its activities BSP makes a significant contribution to quality, safety and efficacy of biological medicinal products in Europe and beyond, and serves thereby health and well-being of human beings and animals. | 25,112,952 | [
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Association of acute pancreatitis or high level of serum pancreatic enzymes in patients with acute spinal cord injury: a prospective study. | Spinal cord injuries has increased together with urban violence and show a high rates of incidence. Besides the onus to patient and society, it can also cause other serious complications to victims. Acute pancreatitis has an important impact on this disease and has been underdiagnosed in several patients. The aim of this study was investigate the association of acute pancreatitis in acute spinal cord injuries. The secondary aim was to propose an investigation protocol to early diagnose and prevent it. A prospective observational study was conducted in 78 patients who presented acute spinal cord injury (SCI) at our emergency department, confirmed by clinical and imaging examination, in according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Classification. Exclusion criteria were chronic or associate diseases in spinal cord, pancreatic direct trauma, alcoholism and chronic pancreatic disease. The association of acute pancreatitis in patients with SCI was 11.53%. The occurrence of pancreatitis or high levels of serum pancreatic enzymes in patients with ASIA A was 41.7% and only 4.17% in patients with ASIA E. In all, 55.2% of patients who presented pancreatitis or high levels of serum pancreatic enzymes had cervical level of SCI and 34.5% had thoracic level. Adynamic ileus was observed in 68.96% of this group. We concluded that, in acute spinal cord injuries, the occurrence of acute pancreatitis or high serum levels of pancreatic enzymes are more frequent in patients with ASIA A Classification, cervical/thoracic level of spinal injury and adynamic ileus. | 25,112,967 | [
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Revisionary checklist of the Southern African Sesiini (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) with description of new species. | A revisionary checklist of the Sesiini of southern Africa is presented. All known genera of the region and their type species are redescribed. The following genera are placed in Sesiini for the first time: Alonina Walker, 1856; Anaudia Wallengren, 1863; Austrosetia Felder & Felder, 1874; Megalosphecia Le Cerf, 1916 and Vespanthedon Le Cerf, 1917. The genera Cicinnoscelis Holland, 1893 rev. stat. (from synonymy with Alonina Walker, 1856) and Felderiola Naumann, 1971 rev. stat. (from synonymy with Monopetalotaxis Wallengren, 1859) are resurrected from synonymy and included in Sesiini. One new genus, Hagnogyna new gen., and seven new species, Cicinnoscelis flavipes new sp., C. krooni new sp., Alonina rufa new sp., A. fusca new sp., Anaudia thyranthrena new sp., Felderiola karooensis new sp. and F. xanthogaster new sp., are described. The following new combinations are introduced: Cicinnoscelis longipes Holland, 1893 rev. comb., Alonina pyrethra (Hampson, 1919) new comb., A. pyrocraspis (Hampson, 1910) new comb., A. luteopunctata (Freina, 2011) new comb., Felderiola candescens (Felder & Felder, 1874) rev. comb., Hagnogyna sanguicosta (Hampson, 1919) new comb., H. bartschi (Freina, 2011) new comb. and Vespanthedon chalciphora (Hampson, 1919) new comb. Alonina difformis Hampson, 1919 new syn. is considered a subjective junior synonym of A. rygchiiformis Walker, 1856. A lectotype is designated for Austrosetia semirufa Felder & Felder, 1874 and the previously unknown males of this species and of Anaudia felderi Wallengren, 1863 are described. Bionomical data for some of the species discussed are given for the first time. | 25,112,976 | [
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Redefinition of the millipede subgenus Megaphyllum sensu stricto Verhoeff, 1894 and neotype designation for Megaphyllum austriacum (Latzel, 1884) (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Julida: Julidae). | Megaphyllum sensu stricto, i.e. the nominotypical subgenus of the very complicated genus Megaphyllum Verhoeff, 1894, is redefined on the basis of examination of type and non-type material and literature data. Four species-groups including twenty species in all are listed, and the identity of M. austriacum (C. L. Koch, 1838) is clarified with a proposal of neotype designation under ICZN Article 75.6. in order to stabilize the current usage of the name. Prevailing usage of M. silvaticum (Verhoeff, 1898) syn. nov. (nomen protectum) over the senior synonym M. nigrescens (Latzel, 1884) (nomen oblitum) is maintained under ICZN Article 23.9. M. banaticum (Verhoeff, 1899) is syn. nov. of M. erythronotum (Latzel, 1884) comb. nov., M. bosniense cotinophilum (Loksa, 1962) syn. nov. of M. bosniense bosniense (Verhoeff, 1897) and M. transsylvanicum transdanubicum (Loksa, 1962) syn. nov. of M. transsylvanicum transsylvanicum (Verhoeff, 1897). M. unilineatum (C. L. Koch, 1838) is new to the fauna of Turkey. | 25,112,977 | [
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Nematodes from galls on Myrtaceae. IV. Fergusobia from flat leaf galls on Eucalyptus and Corymbia, with descriptions of two new species. | Two new species of Fergusobia are described. Both were collected from flat leaf galls from South Australia, one on Eucalyptus microcarpa and the other on E. porosa. Fergusobia microcarpae n. sp. Davies is characterised by the combination of a C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a short, broadly rounded conoid tail, an arcuate to open C-shaped infective female with an hemispherical tail tip, and arcuate to J-shaped males with angular spicules and short peloderan bursa. Fergusobia porosae n. sp. Davies is similar in having an arcuate to C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a small conoid tail, an almost straight to arcuate infective female with an hemispherical tail tip, and males that are almost straight to barely J-shaped with angular spicules and short peloderan bursa. They differ in that the bodies of parthenogenetic and infective females of F. microcarpae n. sp. are more curved than in F. porosae n. sp. Other known similar forms of Fergusobia/Fergusonina galls are outlined and the larval shield morphologies of their associated mutualistic Fergusonina fly species are discussed where known. An inventory of all known Fergusobia/Fergusonina associations from flat leaf galls from Corymbia spp. and Eucalyptus spp. is presented. Relationships of Fergusobia nematodes were inferred from analysis of sequences of 28S rDNA D2/D3 domains and a portion of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI). Nematodes from flat leaf galls appeared in two clades. | 25,112,980 | [
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Systematics, phylogeny and biology of a new genus of Lithocolletinae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) associated with Cistaceae. | The gracillariid genus Triberta gen. nov. (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae: Lithocolletinae Stainton, 1854) is described to accommodate two species formerly assigned to the genus Phyllonorycter Hübner, 1822: Triberta helianthemella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1861) comb. nov. and T. cistifoliella (Groschke, 1944) comb. nov. Triberta cistifoliella bona sp. is restored from synonymy based on morphological characters. The new genus is biologically associated with the plant family Cistaceae of the order Malvales and is endemic to the Palaearctics. Our molecular analysis of eleven nuclear genes failed to unambiguously place Triberta in the lithocolletine phylogeny, but revealed that this genus is distinct from either clade Phyllonorycter + Cremastobombycia and Cameraria. The distinctiveness of Triberta is also supported by inferred traits in wing venation, micro morphology of the last instar larva, pupa, genital morphology of the adult and life history. A key to the species of Triberta is provided. The interspecific homogeneity in external morphology, coupled with minor differences in genital traits, an apparent narrow specialization on Cistaceae host plants, restricted geographical range and molecular evidence based on multi-nuclear genes jointly suggest that the generic diversification of Triberta is a relatively old phenomenon and driven strongly by host selection. | 25,112,984 | [
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Discovery of four new species of the genus Planaeschna from Southwestern China (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae). | Four new species of the genus Planaeschna, P. robusta sp. nov. (holotype male; Mt. Emeishan, Emeishan City, Sichuan Province, China, 16. VIII. 2007), P. maculifrons sp. nov. (holotype male; Mt. Emeishan, Emeishan City, Sichuan Province, China, 20. VIII. 2007), P. caudispina sp. nov. (holotype male; Mt. Qingchengshan, Dujiangyan City, Sichuan Province, China, 30. VIII. 2007) and P. monticola sp. nov. (holotype male; Sanjiacun Stream, Fengyi Town, Dali City, Yunnan Province, China, 19. XI. 2012) are described and illustrated and diagnosed from their congeners. All the holotypes have been deposited in the Collection of Aquatic Animals, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Brief notes on the biology of each species are also provided. | 25,112,987 | [
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The Phyllomedusa perinesos group (Anura: Hylidae) is derived from a Miocene Amazonian Lineage. | The Phyllomedusa perinesos group is composed of four species that inhabit cloud forests in the eastern Andean slopes. We estimated the phylogenetic relationships among them and their closest relatives using mitochondrial DNA sequences. Our results confirm the monophyly of the group and a close relationship with the Amazonian species Phyllomedusa atelopoides and Phyllomedusa tomopterna. A chronogram indicates that the group originated during the Miocene and the contemporary species diverged from their closest relatives during the Miocene and early Pliocene. The timing of the group's origin suggests that its evolution was linked to the rise of the eastern Andes. Based on the phylogeny we expand the species content of the group to include P. atelopoides and P. tomopterna. | 25,112,990 | [
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Makoiamya cotterallae, a new genus and species of bivalve (Ceratomyidae) from the latest Triassic of New Zealand and New Caledonia. | The new genus and species Makoiamya cotterallae is erected for fossil bivalves previously informally identified as Anodontophora Alberti (= Unionites Wissmann) or a relative or Ochotomya Polubotko in the Late Triassic Murihiku Terrane of New Zealand and Téremba Terrane of New Caledonia (Norian and Rhaetian; Warepan and Otapirian local stages). Neither of these genera happily accommodates these shells and a new genus is considered necessary for them. Makoiamya fits most readily into the Ceratomyidae and members were burrowers in fine sand and silt, where they are generally preserved in life orientation. | 25,112,993 | [
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Phylogenetic relationships of Tectoribates: nymphal characters of new North American species place the genus in Tegoribatidae (Acari, Oribatida). | Species in the oribatid mite genus Tectoribates are primarily Palaearctic and Neotropical, with scattered, unidentified records from North America. Herein, we describe 3 new Tectoribates species from dry forest and prairie habitats in North America: T. alcecampestris sp. nov., from Alberta, T. borealis sp. nov., from southern Alberta and Ontario, both on the basis of adults and nymphs, and T. campestris sp. nov., from dry grassland habitats in Ontario and Kansas, on the basis of adults. We provide a revised and expanded diagnosis for adults of Tectoribates. We assess relationships of Tectoribates, using characters of adults and newly discovered apheredermous, plicate immatures. We include observations on Pseudotectoribates which is closely related to Tectoribates. The closest relatives of these genera are hypothesised to be among the Tegoribatidae (Achipterioidea) rather than among the Achipteriidae (Achipterioidea), Oribatellidae (Oribatelloidea), or Ceratozetoidea, as suggested in previous classifications. Finally, we give a key to adults of the world fauna of Tectoribates. | 25,113,002 | [
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Gastrogastric fistulae following gastric bypass surgery-clinical recognition and treatment. | Gastrogastric fistula (GGF) formation is an uncommon but well-recognized complication following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Patients with GGF may be asymptomatic or have nonspecific problems of abdominal pain, weight regain, or ulcer formation at the gastrojejunal anastomosis. Maintaining a high index of suspicion is the key to diagnosis. Flexible upper endoscopy and upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy are complementary imaging modalities for securing the diagnosis of GGF. Surgical repair of GGF is generally the most definitive management but is invasive and has the potential for morbidity. Endoscopic methods of closure have gained favor in recent years due to their noninvasive nature despite the lack of long-term data regarding their success. Novel methods of endoscopic closure, including endoscopic suturing, more closely resemble the surgical paradigm and will likely supplant traditional surgical methods for the management of GGF. | 25,113,040 | [
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Intravenously administered tissue plasminogen activator useful in milder strokes? A meta-analysis. | The dilemma of whether to treat mild strokes with tPA is a chronic problem. We performed a meta-analysis and metaregression of the published literature to determine the best definition of mild strokes and if intravenously administered tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) is beneficial. PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from inception to May 2013. The search terms used were "stroke," "cerebral infarct," "mild stroke," "minor stroke," "small infarct," "modified Rankin scale," "National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score," "stroke thrombolysis," and their combinations. Studies were included if they (1) involved 5 or more human patients with stroke; (2) analyzed modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores as the main variables of interest; (3) presented outcomes for NIHSS scores less than 6, 5, 4, or 3 points. Good outcomes were defined as mRS scores 0-1, and other outcomes studied were intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. Of 894 articles, 30 articles met our criteria. Only 8 articles provided patients arms with and without tPA treatment. A total of 637 patients with IV-tPA treatment and 568 without thrombolysis were included in analysis. Good outcomes were associated with tPA and just reached statistical significance (pooled odds ratio [OR], 1.319; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.004-1.733; z = 1.987; P = .047). There were moderate levels of heterogeneity between studies (τ(2) = .346; Q = 19.974; df = 7; P = .006; I(2) = 64.954). On metaregression of a-priori sources of heterogeneity within individuals, we found age (B = -.37; z = -2.496; P = .012) to be a significant moderator. Mortality was not significantly different between IV-tPA-treated and nonthrombolyzed groups (pooled OR 1.095; 95% CI, .438-2.738; z = .193; P = .847). Patients with mild stroke may derive benefit from intravenous thrombolysis without a significant increase in mortality. | 25,113,080 | [
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Uncertainty analysis of total phosphorus spatial-temporal variations in the Yangtze River Estuary using different interpolation methods. | Interpolation processes and results are generally accompanied by uncertainty which affects the spatial and temporal properties of pollutants. Based on the 4 period sample data of total phosphorus (TP) collected from the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) in 2010 and 2011, the uncertainty of spatial-temporal variation was analyzed with interpolation methods of inverse distance weighted (IDW), local polynomial interpolation (LPI), ordinary kriging (OK) and disjunctive kriging (DK). The root mean square errors (RMSE) and the mean relative errors (MRE) were used to analyze the accuracy of different interpolation methods. The results showed that the uncertainty of DK was the lowest and the uncertainty of LPI was the highest among the 4 methods. The subtraction results between different interpolation methods showed that there was some distinct area of value in the disparate interval (not in [-0.05, 0.05] (mg/L)) in the 4 seasonal results, which was mainly distributed in the boundary region and around some sample sites. Both standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variance (CV) in August 2010 were the highest in the 4 seasons and annual mean. The uncertainty may be caused by choice of interpolation methods, spatial data discrepancy and the lack of sample data. | 25,113,104 | [
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Ammonium increases Ca(2+) signalling and up-regulates expression of TRPC1 gene in astrocytes in primary cultures and in the in vivo brain. | Rapid rise in ammonium concentration in the brain is the major pathogenic factor in hepatic encephalopathy that is manifested by state of confusion, forgetfulness and irritability, psychotic symptoms, delusions, lethargy, somnolence and, in the terminal stages, coma. Primary cultures of mouse astrocytes were used to investigate effects of chronic treatment (3 days) with ammonium chloride (ammonium) at 3 mM, this being a relevant concentration for hepatic encephalopathy condition, on metabotropic receptor agonist-induced increases in free cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration [(Ca(2+))i], measured with fura-2 based microfluorimetry and on store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) activated following treatment with the SERCA inhibitor thapsigargin. The agonists used were the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, the α2-adrenergic agonist dexmedetomidine, the InsP3 receptor (InsP3R) agonist adenophostin A and ryanodine receptor agonist 4-Chloro-m-cresol (4-CMC). Agonist-induced [Ca(2+)]i responses were significantly increased in astrocytes chronically exposed to ammonium. Similarly, the SOCE, meditated by the transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1), was significantly augmented. The ammonium-induced increase in SOCE was a result of an up-regulation of mRNA and protein expression of TRPC1 in astrocytes. Increase in TRPC1 expression and in SOCE were both prevented by ouabain antagonist canrenone. Similar up-regulation of TRPC1 gene expression was found in the brain of adult mice subjected to intraperitoneal injection of urease for 3 days. In transgenic mice tagged with an astrocyte-specific or a neurone-specific markers and treated with intraperitoneal injections of urease for 3 days, the fluorescence-activated cell sorting of neurones and astrocytes demonstrated that TRPC1 mRNA expression was up-regulated in astrocytes, but not in neurones. | 25,113,123 | [
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Metastable ionic diodes derived from an amine-based polymer of intrinsic microporosity. | A highly rigid amine-based polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM), prepared by a polymerization reaction involving the formation of Tröger's base, is demonstrated to act as an ionic diode with electrolyte-dependent bistable switchable states. | 25,113,137 | [
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One-year outcomes associated with using observation services in triaging patients with nonspecific chest pain. | Observation services are provided in greatly variant settings. The aim of this study was to reexamine the effectiveness of observation services compared to inpatient units for patients with nonspecific chest pain. Patients admitted to observation units have similar outcomes to patients admitted to inpatient wards. We conducted a claim-based retrospective study for 7549 patients who were admitted to observation and inpatient units. Both models of care were evaluated using the 1-year costs related to chest pain/cardiovascular diseases, and primary and secondary outcomes. Primary outcome was a composite of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, or cardiac arrest, whereas secondary outcomes included revascularization procedures, emergency room revisits, and hospitalization due to cardiovascular diseases. Two-thirds (65.7%, n = 4962) of patients in the sample had observation services, and 34.3% (n = 2587) were admitted to inpatient care. Of the inpatient group, 4.9% experienced a total of 167 primary outcomes, whereas 14.1% experienced a total of 571 secondary outcomes. In comparison, 3.8% of the observation group experienced 238 primary outcomes, and 10.3% experienced 737 secondary outcomes. After adjusting for baseline characteristics using Cox proportional hazard and quantile regression models, no differences between the 2 groups were detected in the 1-year costs of cardiovascular services and primary or secondary outcomes. Patients who had observation services were 79% (95% confidence interval: 1.24-2.58) more likely to have revascularization procedures compared to those admitted to inpatient care. Patients who had observation services had similar outcomes and 1-year costs compared to patients admitted to inpatient wards. | 25,113,151 | [
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Pharmacological interventions for sleepiness and sleep disturbances caused by shift work. | Shift work results in sleep-wake disturbances, which cause sleepiness during night shifts and reduce sleep length and quality in daytime sleep after the night shift. In its serious form it is also called shift work sleep disorder. Various pharmacological products are used to ameliorate symptoms of sleepiness or poor sleep length and quality. To evaluate the effects of pharmacological interventions to reduce sleepiness or to improve alertness at work and decrease sleep disturbances whilst off work, or both, in workers undertaking shift work in their present job and to assess their cost-effectiveness. We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and PsycINFO up to 20 September 2013 and ClinicalTrials.gov up to July 2013. We also screened reference lists of included trials and relevant reviews. We included all eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs), including cross-over RCTs, of pharmacological products among workers who were engaged in shift work (including night shifts) in their present jobs and who may or may not have had sleep problems. Primary outcomes were sleep length and sleep quality while off work, alertness and sleepiness, or fatigue at work. Two authors independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias in included trials. We performed meta-analyses where appropriate. We included 15 randomised placebo-controlled trials with 718 participants. Nine trials evaluated the effect of melatonin and two the effect of hypnotics for improving sleep problems. One trial assessed the effect of modafinil, two of armodafinil and one examined caffeine plus naps to decrease sleepiness or to increase alertness.Melatonin (1 to 10 mg) after the night shift may increase sleep length during daytime sleep (mean difference (MD) 24 minutes, 95% confidence interval (CI) 9.8 to 38.9; seven trials, 263 participants, low quality evidence) and night-time sleep (MD 17 minutes, 95% CI 3.71 to 30.22; three trials, 234 participants, low quality evidence) compared to placebo. We did not find a dose-response effect. Melatonin may lead to similar sleep latency times as placebo (MD 0.37minutes, 95% CI - 1.55 to 2.29; five trials, 74 participants, low quality evidence).Hypnotic medication, zopiclone, did not result in significantly longer daytime sleep length compared to placebo in one low quality trial and we could not use the data from the study on lormetazepam.Armodafinil taken before the night shift probably reduces sleepiness by one point on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) (MD -0.99, 95% CI -1.32 to -0.67; range 1 to 10; two trials, 572 participants, moderate quality evidence) and increases alertness by 50 ms in a simple reaction time test (MD -50.0, 95% CI -85.5 to -15.5) at three months' follow-up in shift work sleep disorder patients. Modafinil probably has similar effects on sleepiness (KSS) (MD -0.90, 95% CI -1.45 to -0.35; one trial, 183 participants, moderate quality evidence) and alertness in the psychomotor vigilance test in the same patient group. Post-marketing, severe skin reactions have been reported. Adverse effects reported by trial participants were headache, nausea and a rise in blood pressure. There were no trials in non-patient shift workers.Based on one trial, caffeine plus pre-shift naps taken before the night shift decreased sleepiness (KSS) (MD -0.63, 95% CI -1.09 to -0.17).We judged most trials to have a low risk of bias even though the randomisation method and allocation concealment were often not described. There is low quality evidence that melatonin improves sleep length after a night shift but not other sleep quality parameters. Both modafinil and armodafinil increase alertness and reduce sleepiness to some extent in employees who suffer from shift work sleep disorder but they are associated with adverse events. Caffeine plus naps reduces sleepiness during the night shift, but the quality of evidence is low. Based on one low quality trial, hypnotics did not improve sleep length and quality after a night shift.We need more and better quality trials on the beneficial and adverse effects and costs of all pharmacological agents that induce sleep or promote alertness in shift workers both with and without a diagnosis of shift work sleep disorder. We also need systematic reviews of their adverse effects. | 25,113,164 | [
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Does a child's fear of needles decrease through a learning event with needles? | Most children have a fear of needles. Suitable preparation can decrease the pain and fear of needles in hospitals; however, few have examined how such preparation affects healthy children. This study examined whether learning with needles decreases fear of needles and changes motivation to get vaccinations in school-age children and the possible association between fear of needles and motivation toward vaccinations. This study included children participating in the "Let's Be Doctors" event, which was held in 4 child centers in Tsukuba city, Ibaraki, Japan. In this event, children learned about injections and how a vaccine works, and injected a vaccine (water) into skin (sponge) using a real syringe and imitation needle. Data were collected just before and after the event by anonymous self-assessment questionnaires that used a 4-point Likert scale to assess fear of needles, motivation to get vaccinations, recommendation of vaccinations, and fear toward doctors among the children. Answers were divided into two categories for statistical analysis. In total, 194 children participated in the event and 191 children answered the questionnaire (response rate 98.5%). We analyzed 180 subjects, comprising 79 boys (43.9%) and 94 girls (52.2%), mean age of 8.1 ± 1.0 years. The number of children reporting a fear of needles decreased from 69 (38.3%) before the event to 51 (28.3%) after the event, and those unwilling to get vaccinations decreased from 48 (26.7%) to 27 (15.0%). Children who reported fear of needles before the event were more unwilling to get vaccinations than those with no fear of needles (36 [52.2%] vs. 12 [10.8%]), while after the event the number of needle-fearing children unwilling to get vaccinations decreased to 19 (27.5%). Children's fear of needles and unwillingness to get vaccinations were decreased after experiencing a learning event with needles. The fear of needles is associated with a negative motivation to get vaccinations in children. | 25,113,165 | [
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Activity-dependent alterations in the sensitivity to BDNF-TrkB signaling may promote excessive dendritic arborization and spinogenesis in fragile X syndrome in order to compensate for compromised postsynaptic activity. | Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common cause of inherited human mental retardation, results from the loss of function of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). To date, most researchers have thought that FXS neural pathologies are primarily caused by extreme dendritic branching and spine formation. With this rationale, several researchers attempted to prune dendritic branches and reduce the number of spines in FXS animal models. We propose that increased dendritic arborization and spinogenesis in FXS are developed rather as secondary compensatory responses to counteract the compromised postsynaptic activity during uncontrollable metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-dependent long-term depression (LTD). When postsynaptic and electrical activities become dampened in FXS, dendritic trees can increase their sensitivity to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) by using the molecular sensor called eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and taking advantage of the tight coupling of mGluR and BDNF-TrkB signaling pathways. Then, this activity-dependent elevation of the BDNF signaling can strategically alter dendritic morphologies to foster branching and develop spine structures in order to improve the postsynaptic response in FXS. Our model suggests a new therapeutic rationale for FXS: correcting the postsynaptic and electrical activity first, and then repairing structural abnormalities of dendrites. Then, it may be possible to successfully fix the dendritic morphologies without affecting the survival of neurons. Our theory may also be generalized to explain aberrant dendritic structures observed in other neurobehavioral diseases, such as tuberous sclerosis, Rett syndrome, schizophrenia, and channelopathies, which accompany high postsynaptic and electrical activity. | 25,113,167 | [
0.3668769,
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... |
Incidence of alcohol use disorders among Hispanic subgroups in the USA. | Hispanics are the largest ethnic minority group in the USA and a fairly heterogeneous group. But this heterogeneity has usually been ignored by grouping them into a single category. The objective of this study is to challenge that practice by providing alcohol use disorders (AUD) incidence and risk estimates across Hispanic subgroups. A subsample of Hispanics (n = 2371) and non-Hispanic whites (n = 7741) at risk for AUD who participated in the first and second wave of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions was analyzed. Weighted incidence for AUD was calculated across Hispanic subgroups. A weighted modified Poisson generalized linear model was used to estimate relative risks. Compared with non-Hispanic whites, Puerto Ricans have the highest AUD incidence (3.6%; 95% CI: 0.5, 6.7) followed by Mexican-Americans (2.5%; 95% CI: 1.5, 3.6), Other Hispanics (1.6%; 95% CI: 0.1, 3.1) and Cuban-Americans (0.6%; 95% CI: 0.1, 1.2). In contrast, weighted adjusted relative risk estimates for Mexican-Americans were (RR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.7, 6.2) but for Puerto Ricans (RR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.0, 5.0) it was somewhat attenuated but still significant (P = 0.049). No difference was found for Cuban-Americans or Other Hispanics. The annual incidence and risk for AUD varies greatly among Hispanic subgroups. Nonetheless, the practice of categorizing Hispanics as a homogenous ethnic group still continues. Our findings suggest that this practice is not only inappropriate, but also hinders a better understanding of AUD etiology, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in the largest ethnic minority group in the USA. | 25,113,174 | [
-0.07833012,
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0.004711856,
0.06950832,
0.00466... |
Assessing restrictiveness of national alcohol marketing policies. | To develop an approach for monitoring national alcohol marketing policies globally, an area of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Alcohol Strategy. Data on restrictiveness of alcohol marketing policies came from the 2002 and 2008 WHO Global Surveys on Alcohol and Health. We included four scales in a sensitivity analysis to determine optimal weights to score countries on their marketing policies and applied the selected scale to assess national marketing policy restrictiveness. Nearly, 36% of countries had no marketing restrictions. The overall restrictiveness levels were not significantly different between 2002 and 2008. The number of countries with strict marketing regulations did not differ across years. This method of monitoring alcohol marketing restrictiveness helps track progress towards implementing WHO'S Global Alcohol Strategy. Findings indicate a consistent lack of restrictive policies over time, making this a priority area for national and global action. | 25,113,175 | [
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0.2250095,
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0.2114338,
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0.0... |
Study of penetration behavior of PCB-DNAPL in a sand layer by a column experiment. | To better understand the infiltration performances of high concentration PCB oils (KC-300 and KC-1000 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures), representative dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL), under both saturated and unsaturated conditions, we conducted experiments on a sand column filled with Toyoura Standard Sand. When PCB oil with the volume comparable to the total porosity in the column was supplied, the residual PCB concentrations under PCB-water conditions were 4.9×10(4)mgkg(-1) in KC-300 and 3.9×10(4)mgkg(-1) in KC-1000. Under PCB-air conditions, residual PCB concentrations were 6.0×10(4)mgkg(-1) and 2.4×10(5)mgkg(-1) in the upper and lower parts for KC-300 and 3.6×10(4)mgkg(-1) and 1.5×10(5)mgkg(-1) in those for KC-1000, respectively, while the rest of the PCBs were infiltrated. On the other hand, when a small amount of PCB oil with the volume far smaller than the total porosity in the column was supplied, the original PCBs were not transported via water permeation. However, lower-chlorinated PCB congeners-e.g., di- or tri-chlorinated biphenyls-preferentially dissolved and were infiltrated from the bottom of the column. These propensities on PCB oil infiltration can be explained in conjunction with the degree of PCB saturation in the sand column. | 25,113,184 | [
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0.04765933,
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Study on the impact of industrial flue gases on the PCDD/Fs congener profile in ambient air. | The aim of this study was to examine the impact of emissions from combustion processes from sinter, medical, waste and sewage waste incineration plants on the PCDD and PCDF congener profile in ambient air in Krakow (city in Poland). The subject matter of the study were air samples from the outskirts and the city center. It was found that in flue gases from industrial sources and in ambient air the share of PCDF congeners in relation to the total content of PCDD/Fs was higher than the share of PCDDs. However, in air samples collected in the city center, this relationship was reversed. The PCDD congener profiles in flue gases and in air samples are comparable. However, in the samples from the city centre, the share of OCDD is significantly higher and amounts to about 80%. The PCDF congener shares show higher spatial diversity, although in all the analyzed air samples, ODCF and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8 HpCDF dominated. Analyzing the share of congeners in regard to the sum of PCDDs/Fs a mutual resemblance of air from the suburbs, exhaust gases from the sinter ore and sewage sludge incinerator plant was observed. The study showed a similarity between the profile of congeners in air from the city centre and exhaust gases from the medical waste incinerator. | 25,113,186 | [
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0.4993369,
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... |
Consumption of foods of animal origin as determinant of contamination by organochlorine pesticides and polychlorobiphenyls: results from a population-based study in Spain. | The level of contamination with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and dietary habits and food consumption was extensively studied in the population from the Canary Islands (Spain). Because foodstuffs of animal origin are well known to be prominent contributors to these contaminants, the current study aimed to assess the role of the dietary intake of animal products as a probability factor for increased serum POPs. The intake of animal products (dietary variables) as a determining factor for serum POP levels was investigated using multivariate statistical models. Our results showed that while poultry, rabbit, and cheese consumption increases the probability of having high levels of non-DDT-derivative pesticides, sausage, yogurt, lard, and bacon consumption decreases the probability of having high levels of these pesticides. In addition, poultry, rabbit, eggs, cream, and butter consumption increased the probability of having detectable levels of marker PCB, while dairy desserts decreased the probability of having detectable levels of these PCBs. On the contrary, sausage and meat consumption increased the probability of having detectable levels of dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs). The current results confirm that dietary intake of foodstuffs of animal origin is a relevant risk factor for the accumulation of POPs (and therefore their serum levels). Our study indicates that the analysis of dietary patterns may be useful for identifying those individuals that will probably present a high body burden of POPs. Because POPs can exert deleterious effects on human health, the identification of populations at risk of being highly contaminated is mandatory in order to implement policies that minimize the exposure to these compounds. | 25,113,192 | [
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Correlation between human maternal-fetal placental transfer and molecular weight of PCB and dioxin congeners/isomers. | Establishing methods for the assessment of fetal exposure to chemicals is important for the prevention or prediction of the child's future disease risk. In the present study, we aimed to determine the influence of molecular weight on the likelihood of chemical transfer from mother to fetus via the placenta. The correlation between molecular weight and placental transfer rates of congeners/isomers of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins was examined. Twenty-nine sample sets of maternal blood, umbilical cord, and umbilical cord blood were used to measure PCB concentration, and 41 sample sets were used to analyze dioxins. Placental transfer rates were calculated using the concentrations of PCBs, dioxins, and their congeners/isomers within these sample sets. Transfer rate correlated negatively with molecular weight for PCB congeners, normalized using wet and lipid weights. The transfer rates of PCB or dioxin congeners differed from those of total PCBs or dioxins. The transfer rate for dioxin congeners did not always correlate significantly with molecular weight, perhaps because of the small sample size or other factors. Further improvement of the analytical methods for dioxin congeners is required. The findings of the present study suggested that PCBs, dioxins, or their congeners with lower molecular weights are more likely to be transferred from mother to fetus via the placenta. Consideration of chemical molecular weight and transfer rate could therefore contribute to the assessment of fetal exposure. | 25,113,211 | [
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... |
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