IMPACT OF CRM ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WITH REFERENCE TO PRIVATE SECTOR BANKS IN ERODE DISTRICT

After Privatization of Banking sector, the emergence of new banks and the intensity of competition among the banks has been drastically increased. Nevertheless, like olden days, banks are trying hard to source the new customers and to retain, satisfy the existing customer potential. This study was conducted to study whether CRM practice in Private banks impacts the level of customer satisfaction. For that purpose, studying the association between demographic prole of the respondent and level of satisfaction and analyzing the relationship between CRM dimensions and level of satisfaction were set as objectives. The researcher has collected 120 samples from the customers of HDFC and YES bank of Erode. The results of research analysis revealed that, CRM dimensions are positively correlated with customer satisfaction and it is required for the banks in several aspects.

A STUDY ON ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE DEMOGRAPHICAL VARIABLES AND THE DIMENSIONS OF CRM IN PUBLIC SECTOR AND PRIVATE SECTOR BANKS IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

The abstract entitled “A study on association between the demographical variables and the dimensions of CRM in public sector and Public Sector banks in Kanyakumari District” was undertaken to find out the association between the demographical variables and the dimensions of CRM in public sector and Public Sector banks in Kanyakumari District. This study provides a step in understanding the existing customer relationship management practices in banks in the public sector and private sector banks. This study is an example of the knowledge that can be gained in understanding the effectiveness of customer relationship management strategies in the banking sector, the customer relationship management is one such tool which helps in meeting the customer's expectations according to their changing needs. The study is a descriptive one. Primary data collected with the help of structured questionnaire administrated to Customers of Private and Public Sector Banks at Kanyakumari District. 335 respondents were selected by adopting simple random sampling using lottery method. The Data is collected from the top two banks (Private Sector and Public Sector Banks). The collected data were analyzed by using relevant statistical techniques like Mean Score, ANOVA, Factor analysis, Multiple Regression, Structural Equation Modelling using AMOS. This study is an example of the knowledge that can be gained in understanding the effectiveness of customer relationship management strategies in the banking sector, the customer relationship management is one such tool which helps in meeting the customer's expectations according to their changing needs

Molecular chaperones facilitate soluble expression of recombinant non-toxic mutant CRM197 of diphtheria toxin in Escherichia coli / 生物工程学报

Diphtheria toxin is an ADP-ribosyltransferase toxic to human cells. Mutation of the active site in its catalytic domain eliminates the toxicity, but retains its immunogenicity. A non-toxic mutant of diphtheria toxin known as CRM197 protein has become an ideal carrier protein for conjugate vaccines. CRM197 can further improve its immunogenicity by cross-linking with other antigens, so it has good potential to find broad applications. Unfortunately, inclusion bodies are easily formed during the expression of recombinant CRM197 protein in Escherichia coli, which greatly reduces its yield. In order to address this problem, pG-KJE8 vector carrying molecular chaperones and plasmid pET28a-CRM197, were co-expressed in Escherichia coli. The results showed that the recombinant CRM197 protein was successfully expressed and appeared largely in inclusion bodies. The molecular chaperones DnaK, DnaJ, GrpE, GroES and GroEL5 expressed can facilitate correct and rapid folding of CRM197. Furthermore, it can also improve the recovery rate of soluble CRM197 protein. The soluble expression of CRM197 was maximized upon addition of 1.0 mmol/L IPTG, 0.5 mg L-arabinose, 5.0 ng/mL tetracycline and induction at 20oC for 16 h. The soluble CRM197 protein shows good immunoreactivity, demonstrating the molecular chaperones expressed from pG-KJE8 facilitated the soluble expression of CRM197 protein in E. coli.

Research and development of certified reference material of swertioside / 中国中药杂志

The standard sample of natural products is an essential standard reference to determine the quality of the product in the quality control of natural products. To develop a certified reference material(CRM) of swertioside according to the Work Guideline for Reference Materials(3): Reference Material-General Principles and Statistical Method for Certification(GB/T 15000.3-2008), swertioside was purified from whole plant of Swertia mussotii by extraction, isolation and Prep-HPLC to obtain certified reference material of swertioside. The structure of swertioside was identified by IR, UV, high-resolution MS, NMR. Thin layer chromatography, optical rotation, elemental analysis and melting point was carried out for the identification. The purity of the prepared sample was tested from different chromatographic elution conditions, thin layer chromatography and HPLC-MS. Swertioside was divided into 140 bottles, with 10 mg per bottle after homogeneity test, stability test and quantitative analysis. This CRM is 7-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-xylopyranosyl]; the homogeneity of the 95% confidence interval was good; the certified purity value was 98.66%, with a relative expanded uncertainty of 0.38%; the storage period was 36 months at 0-8 ℃. Therefore, the CRM of sakuranetin reached the technical requirements of CRM, and was accepted by SAC. Swertioside is successfully developed and can be used for determining content, evaluating test methods, detecting relevant products and controlling quality.

Sesgos cognitivos en anestesia, una causa latente de error humano / Cognitive biases in anesthesia, a latent cause of human error

Resumen: Un concepto que ha causado atención en los últimos años es el de los sesgos cognitivos y su influencia en las decisiones y comportamientos diarios de los seres humanos. Los equipos de trabajo en sala de operaciones se forman de diferentes áreas de especialidad y con distintos niveles de experiencia, todos tienen una función y pueden tomar decisiones que afectan al paciente. Este proceso de toma de decisiones se puede basar en experiencia previa, razonamiento clínico y el contexto; la necesidad de realizar diagnósticos y tratamiento rápido en algunas situaciones hace al anestesiólogo particularmente vulnerable a sesgos cognitivos. Presentamos diferentes ejemplos de sesgos cognitivos que se pueden llegar a presentar en sala de operaciones, como puede ser el sesgo de atención, en el cual un estímulo relevante como la necesidad de asegurar la vía aérea puede hacer que el estado hemodinámico del paciente pase desapercibido. El objetivo de este trabajo es crear conciencia particularmente en los anestesiólogos sobre estos sesgos cognitivos, su presencia en el proceso de toma de decisiones en la sala de operaciones y compartimos un par de formas para ayudar a prevenirlos.

Abstract: A concept that has gained attention in the last years is the existance of cognitive biases and their influence in decision making and behaviour of human beings. Teams in the operating room are formed by different medical specialities with varied levels of experience, everyone has a role and every one can make decisions that have an impact in the patient. This decision making process might be based in previous experience, clinical reasoning, and context; the need to make a rapid diagnosis and treatment in some situations makes the anesthesiologist especially vulnerable to cognitive bias. We present different types of cognitive bias that might be present in the operating room for example the attention bias in which a relevant stimulus like the airway management could make the hemodynamic aspect go unnoticed. The goal of this paper is to aware anesthesiologists in particular about this cognitive biases, their presence in the decision making process in the operating room and to share a couple of ways to prevent them.

Sulforaphene kills triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MA-231 cells by blocking STAT3 signaling pathway / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@# Objective：To investigate the role and mechanism of chromosomal region maintenance 1 (CRM1) inhibitor sulforaphene (LFS-01) in killing triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways. Methods: Whether LFS-01 could combine with the NES pocket of CRM1 was verified by molecular dynamics simulation techniques. The killing activity of LFS-01 on four different breast cancer cell lines was detected by CCK-8 method. TNBC MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with different concentrations of LFS-01, and the intracellular localization of CRM1 cargo protein STAT3 and protein with NES sequence was detected by immunofluorescence; WB was used to detect the effect of LFS-01 on the expression of STAT-3 signaling pathway and its downstream proteins; WB, cellular immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy were adopted to detect the occurrence of autophagy; the effect of LFS-01 on cell cycle and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Results: Molecular dynamics simulations showed that LFS-01 can bind to the NES pocket of CRM1, indicating that it may structurally affect the latter's protein transport function. LFS-01 could specifically kill TNBC MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells. STAT3 and NES-tagged proteins were mainly blocked in the nucleus of TNBC cells after the treatment with 10 μmol/L LFS-01, while they were evenly distributed in the cytoplasm in the control group. The expressions of phosphorylated STAT3 protein, Bcl-xL and Cylin D1 were decreased in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells with the increase of LFS-01 dose and the prolongation of treatment time; the expression of autophagy marker protein LC3B increased, and highdensity, multi-layered autophagosomes appeared at the same time; cell cycle arrest was observed in S phase and apoptosis rate was significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: LFS-01 blocks the export of CRM1 carrier protein, thereby inhibiting the activation of STAT3 signaling pathway and promoting autophagy, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in TNBC MDA-MB-468 and MDAMB-231 cells.

One-year antibody persistence and safety of a 4-dose schedule of MenACWY-CRM in healthy infants from South Korea

PURPOSE: Results from a post-marketing study to generate evidence on 1-year antibody persistence and safety following vaccination of infants from South Korea with the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine MenACWY-CRM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this phase IV, open-label, multi-center study (NCT02446691), 128 infants received MenACWY-CRM at ages 2, 4, 6, and 12 months. One-year antibody persistence following the full vaccination course was evaluated (primary objective) for the four meningococcal serogroups (Men) by serum bactericidal activity assay using human or rabbit complement (hSBA/rSBA). Immune responses at 1-month post-vaccination and safety were also assessed. RESULTS: The percentage of children with hSBA titers ≥8 ranged between 94% (MenA) and 100% (MenY/W) 1-month post-vaccination, and from 39% (MenA) to 89% (MenY) 1-year post-vaccination. At least 99% and 92% of children had rSBA titers ≥8 and ≥128 against each meningococcal serogroup, 1-month post-vaccination. One-year post-vaccination, the percentage of children with rSBA titers ≥8 and ≥128 ranged from 54% (MenC) to 99% (MenA) and from 30% (MenC) to 98% (MenA). Geometric mean titers declined from 1-month to 1-year post-vaccination, when they varied between 6.8 (MenA) and 53.6 (MenW) by hSBA and between 17.2 (MenC) and 2,269.5 (MenA) by rSBA. At least one solicited and unsolicited adverse event was reported for 79% and 66% of children. Of 36 serious adverse events reported, none were vaccination-related. CONCLUSION: Antibody persistence (hSBA/rSBA titers ≥8) was determined in 39%–99% of children 1 year after a 4-dose MenACWY-CRM series during infancy, with an acceptable clinical safety profile.

Customer relationship management in the agricultural machinery market / Customer relationship management no setor de máquinas agrícolas

ABSTRACT: Customer Relationship Management can be regarded as a business approach. The objective was to know the customers, meet their expectations, and thus build customer loyalty. Although, the agricultural sector makes significant economic contributions to the Brazilian market and induces sharp competition among its companies, a huge opportunity still presents itself for the diffusion and implementation of CRM in the agricultural machinery sector. This study aimed to highlight the importance of customer management, by introducing the customer relationship management (CRM) concept. This is possible in the event of reselling agricultural machines, with the intention of retaining the customers and raising the profitability of these companies. It is necessary to understand CRM as more than a mere a concept or a tool. It is a business strategy, an endeavor that must be endorsed by the entire company. The concessionaire must be perceived as greater than a mere reseller. It is to be viewed rather as a problem solver, as one who offers services that are high in quality and meet client specifics.

RESUMO: O Customer Relationship Management pode ser considerado uma estratégia empresarial que visa conhecer seus clientes para atender suas expectativas, na intenção de fidelizá-los. Apesar da importância econômica do setor agrícola para o mercado brasileiro e o acirramento concorrencial entre suas empresas, há grande oportunidade para a difusão e implantação do CRM no setor de máquinas agrícolas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi ressaltar a importância da gestão dos clientes, inserindo o conceito de gestão do relacionamento com clientes no caso de revendas de máquinas agrícolas, com o intuito de reter clientes e aumentar a rentabilidade dessas empresas. O CRM deve ser abordado além de um conceito ou uma ferramenta, mas como estratégia de negócio, uma missão que deve ser adotada por toda a empresa. A concessionária deve ser reconhecida, mais que apenas uma revendedora, mas como solucionadora de problemas, prestando serviço de qualidade e adaptado às especificidades de cada cliente.

CRM1 inhibitor S109 suppresses cell proliferation and induces cell cycle arrest in renal cancer cells

Abnormal localization of tumor suppressor proteins is a common feature of renal cancer. Nuclear export of these tumor suppressor proteins is mediated by chromosome region maintenance-1 (CRM1). Here, we investigated the antitumor eff ects of a novel reversible inhibitor of CRM1 on renal cancer cells. We found that S109 inhibits the CRM1-mediated nuclear export of RanBP1 and reduces protein levels of CRM1. Furthermore, the inhibitory eff ect of S109 on CRM1 is reversible. Our data demonstrated that S109 signifi cantly inhibits proliferation and colony formation of renal cancer cells. Cell cycle assay showed that S109 induced G1-phase arrest, followed by the reduction of Cyclin D1 and increased expression of p53 and p21. We also found that S109 induces nuclear accumulation of tumor suppressor proteins, Foxo1 and p27. Most importantly, mutation of CRM1 at Cys528 position abolished the eff ects of S109. Taken together, our results indicate that CRM1 is a therapeutic target in renal cancer and the novel reversible CRM1 inhibitor S109 can act as a promising candidate for renal cancer therapy.

Research on certified reference material of emodin in rhubarb and its alcohol extract, water extract / 中国中药杂志

The certified reference materials (CRMs) of emodin in rhubarb and its alcohol extract, water extract were developed by using quantity transfer technology from single chemical composition to the complex systems. The CRM of emodin was used for quantity transfer, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to determine the contents of emodin in different matrix composition. By establishing mathematical model and calculating the parts of uncertainty, the uncertainty values were finally gotten. CRMs of emodin in rhubarb, alcohol extract and water extract were accomplished. The content values of emodin were 0.40% ±0.03%, 1.15%±0.18%, 0.16%±0.08% (k=2,P=0.95), respectively. The established method for quantity transfer has successfully solved the technical problems that the value of active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine can't be traced to SI units. The series of CRMs are assigned as grade primary reference materials, which are useful for quality control of the emodin content, also provide the accurate and reliable CRM, materials standard and standard methods.

A Participatory Action Research Method in a Rural Community of Mexico / Una investigación acción participativa en una comunidad rural de México

For several decades, community interventions have promoted community development with strategies involving capacity building, advocacy, social change, and empowerment. Although community interventions intend to ameliorate social and economic inequalities, there is still a need to evaluate the outcomes of Participatory Action Research (PAR). PAR approaches have demonstrated to be a helpful tool for addressing and identifying community issues and strengths, while leading community members into action. The PAR approach described in this case study of Ciudad Renace (Town Reborn)-the Concerns Report Method (CRM)-provided a process for the community to come together and identify main issues, organize, and take actions. The findings suggest multiple activities and outcomes in areas like environmental contamination, social services, and education. Participatory methodologies like the Concerns report Method provided opportunities for community members to become engaged in pursing issues and addressing their own needs. The implications for community psychology research and practice are discussed.

Por varias décadas, las intervenciones comunitarias han promovido el desarrollo comunitario con estrategias que implican creación de capacidades, promoción, cambio social y empoderamiento. Aunque las intervenciones comunitarias tienen la intención de mejorar las desigualdades sociales y económicas, todavía hay una necesidad de evaluar los resultados de la Investigación Acción Participativa (IAP). Los enfoques IAP han demostrado ser una herramienta útil para el direccionamiento y la identificación de problemas y fortalezas de la comunidad, al mismo tiempo que alientan a los miembros de la comunidad a la acción. El enfoque IAP descrito en este estudio de caso sobre la Ciudad Renace con el Concerns Report Method (CRM) provee de un proceso que permite a la comunidad llegar a identificar en conjunto, sus principales problemas, organizarse y tomar acciones. Los hallazgos sugieren múltiples actividades y resultados en áreas como la contaminación ambiental, los servicios sociales y la educación. Las metodologias participativas como el CRM brindan oportunidades a los miembros de la comunidad para que se involucren en la búsqueda de sus propios problemas y hacer frente a sus necesidades. Se discuten las implicancias para la investigación y la práctica de la psicología comunitaria.

Development of a new ferulic acid certified reference material for use in clinical chemistry and pharmaceutical analysis

This study compares the results of three certified methods, namely differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the mass balance (MB) method and coulometric titrimetry (CT), in the purity assessment of ferulic acid certified reference material (CRM). Purity and expanded uncertainty as determined by the three methods were respectively 99.81%, 0.16%; 99.79%, 0.16%; and 99.81%, 0.26% with, in all cases, a coverage factor (k) of 2 (P=95%). The purity results are consistent indicating that the combination of DSC, the MB method and CT provides a confident assessment of the purity of suitable CRMs like ferulic acid.

Colangiopancreatografía magnética: valor diagnóstico para detectar coledocolitiasis en pacientes con pancreatitis aguda leve / Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and its diagnostic value to detect choledocholithiasis in patients suffering mild acute pancreatitis

Introducción: la pancreatitis aguda (PA) es una enfermedad clínica común que puede ser desde leve hasta fatal. En el 40 por ciento de los casos es de origen biliar, y es causada por una obstrucción de la ampolla de Váter por barro biliar o por cálculos. En el diagnóstico de la pancreatitis aguda de origen biliar (PAB) se emplean métodos invasivos como la colangiopancreatografía endoscópica retrógrada (CPRE), la cual se asocia a morbilidad y mortalidad, y métodos no invasivos como la colangiopancreatografía magnética (CRM), que emerge como modalidad diagnóstica en los centros de tercer y cuarto nivel de complejidad. Métodos: se evaluaron las características diagnósticas de la CRM a través de los registros históricos de pacientes que ingresaron a un hospital universitario de nivel IV a los que se les realizó CRM y CPRE. Esta última fue considerada el método de referencia para la evaluación. Resultados: Para la CRM se determinó una sensibilidad del 97 por ciento y una especificidad del 44 por ciento para la detección de coledocolitiasis, con un valor predictivo positivo de 0,35 y un valor predictivo negativo de 0,99. Algunos de estos resultados son inferiores a los documentados en la bibliografía mundial. Conclusiones: la CRM permite obtener imágenes precisas de la vía biliar, en un ambiente seguro y sin riesgos para el paciente. Esta técnica tiene una capacidad de detección de coledocolitiasis que oscila entre el 78 y el 97 por ciento, resultado que concuerda con lo descrito en otros estudios(AU)

Introduction: acute pancreatitis is a common clinical disease that may be either mild or lethal. Forty percent of cases is of biliary origin and caused by Vater bleb obstruction by biliary mud or by gallstones. The diagnosis of acute biliary pancreatitis uses invasive methods such as retrograde endoscopic cholangiopancreatography which is associated to higher morbidity and mortality or non-invasive ones like magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography that emerges as a diagnostic modality in the third and the fourth level centers. Methods: the diagnostic characteristics of the magnetic cholangiopancreatography were evaluated by using the historical registers of patients who were admitted to a 4th level university hospital and underwent magnetic cholangiopancreatography and retrograde endoscopic cholangiopancreatography, being the last one considered the method of reference for the evaluation. Results: magnetic cholangiopancreatography showed 97 percent sensitivity and 44 percent specificity for the detection of choledocholithiasis, positive predictive value of 0.35 and negative predictive value of 0.99. Some of these results were lower than those documented in the international literature. Conclusions: magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography allows capturing precise images of the biliary duct in a safe environment with no risks for the patient. This technique has a detection capacity ranging 78 to 97 percent for choledocholithiasis. This result agrees with that of other studies(AU)

Evaluation of Immune Response for Vi-CRM(197) Conjugated Vaccine against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi in Mice

Typhoid fever, a serious systemic infection caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, breaks out in developing countries. However, existing vaccines only induce relatively low protective effects with humoral responses and do not stimulate secondary immune response, especially to young people. The objective of this study is to evaluate the immunogenicity of the vaccine containing virulence capsular polysaccharide (Vi) conjugated with the optimal ratios of non-toxic variant of diphtheria toxin (CRM(197)) in mice. Six-week-old BALB/c female mice were injected intraperitoneally three times at intervals of 14 days and sera were collected on days 0, 14, 28, 42 and 56 post-injection. The efficacy of the vaccine was evaluated by comparing between negative control group injected with PBS and vaccine groups injected with Vi or Vi-CRM(197) conjugate of different ratio. Vi and CRM(197)-specific antibody responses were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The result showed that Vi-CRM(197)-1 group revealed the highest and significant Vi-specific IgG immune responses among the other groups and Vi group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, Vi-CRM(197)-1 conjugate vaccine induced the highest humoral immune response in mice and may be used as an effective vaccine to replace the existing typhoid vaccine for infants under 2 years old.

Cytoplasmic Translocation of p53 by Human Cytomegalovirus Infection

p53 is a well-known multi-functional transcription regulator and is critical in the induction of apoptosis in response to various stresses. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection induced the accumulation of p53, which was partly relocalized in cytoplasm, but no apparent cell death in human fibroblasts. p53 in HCMV-infected cells was mainly mono-ubiquitinated, which might be resulted from the decreased expression of MDM2 in the course of HCMV infection. Ubiquitinated p53 was also phosphorylated at serine 20. CRM1 increased in the cytoplasm of HCMV-infected cells. It was found that p53 and its mutant in nuclear export sequences were localized in the cytoplasm of cells when co-expressed with CRM1. Collectively, our data suggest that HCMV infection modifies p53 into a stable and exportable form and accumulates it in the cytoplasm, but does not result in apoptotic death of cells.

Vacunas meningocócicas / Meningococcal Vaccines

La enfermedad meningocócica, aunque poco frecuente, es severa y puede causar la muerte en 10% de quienes la contraen, de allí la importancia de la inmunización para prevenirla. existen varias clases de vacunas, como las polisacáridas que aun cuando pueden inducir protección, no son inmunogénicas en niños menores de 2 años ni inducen inmunidad de rebaño. la administración de dosis de refuerzoproduce hiporespuesta. Las vacunas conjugadas pueden ser monovalentes como la serogrupo c que demostró una reducción en un 93% de la enfermedad en poblaciones con altas coberturas vacunales, y las tetravalentes Ac W135, y/d (conjugada al toxoide diftérico y A; c, W135, y/crM139 conjugada a una mutante no tóxica de toxina diftérica Ambas son inmunogénicas y seguras. estudios epidemiológicos con A; c; W135, y/d descartan aumento de riesgo al síndrome de Guillain Barre (sGB) posterior a su administración. se recomienda administrar dosis única a adolescentes más un refuerzo. el personal de alto riesgo a la enfermedad (Asplenia anatómica o funcional, alteración del complemento, déficit de Properdina, vIh) deben recibir dos dosis más refuerzos cada cinco años

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious infection, up to 10% of persons who contract disease die, so it is very important to immunized for Meningococcal disease protection and prevention. there are two types of vaccine: Polysaccharides that even though induces protection ,is not immunogenic in children younger of 2 years, don’t induce herd immunity and produce hypo responsivenessto a booster dose. conjugate vaccines can be monovalent serogroup: c which demonstrated 93% reduction of serogroups c disease in population with high vaccine coverage. Also there are two quadrivalent serogroups A;c;W135;y vaccines one conjugate to d(difteric toxoid) and other to /crM 139(mutant no toxic of dfsteric toxin. studies showed their immunogenicity up to 55 years and boths are safes. epidemiological study with A;c;W135,y/d disproves any evidence of increased risk to sGB after its administration recommended schedule is to immunized all adolescent, with a dose plus a booster. high risk people of invasive meningococcal disease (anatomic or functional asplenia,terminal complement or prperdin deficiencies,hIv) should rereceived, 2 doses, plus boostersevery 5 years

Enhanced inhibition of murine prostatic carcinoma growth by immunization with or administration of viable human umbilical vein endothelial cells and CRM197

Vaccination with xenogeneic and syngeneic endothelial cells is effective for inhibiting tumor growth. Nontoxic diphtheria toxin (CRM197), as an immunogen or as a specific inhibitor of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, has shown promising antitumor activity. Therefore, immunization with or administration of viable human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) combined with CRM197 could have an enhanced antitumor effect. Six-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were vaccinated with viable HUVECs, 1 x 10(6) viable HUVECs combined with 100 μg CRM197, or 100 μg CRM197 alone by ip injections once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. RM-1 cells (5 x 10(5)) were inoculated by sc injection as a preventive procedure. During the therapeutic procedure, 6-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were challenged with 1 x 10(5) RM-1 cells, then injected sc with 1 x 10(6) viable HUVECs, 1 x 10(6) viable HUVECs + 100 μg CRM197, and 100 μg CRM197 alone twice a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Tumor volume and life span were monitored. We also investigated the effects of immunization with HUVECs on the aortic arch wall and on wound healing. Vaccination with or administration of viable HUVECs+CRM197 enhanced the inhibition of RM-1 prostatic carcinoma by 24 and 29 percent, respectively, and prolonged the life span for 3 and 4 days, respectively, compared with those of only vaccination or administration with viable HUVECs of tumor-bearing C57BL/6J mice. Furthermore, HUVEC immunization caused some damage to the aortic arch wall but did not have remarkable effects on the rate of wound healing; the wounds healed in approximately 13 days. Treatment with CRM197 in combination with viable HUVECs resulted in a marked enhancement of the antitumor effect in the preventive or therapeutic treatment for prostatic carcinoma in vivo, suggesting a novel combination for anti-cancer therapy.

Molecular Determinants Responsible for the Subcellular Localization of HSV-1 UL4 Protein / 中国病毒学·英文版

The function of the herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1)UL4 protein is still elusive. Our objective is to investigate the subcellular transport mechanism of the UL4 protein. In this study,fluorescence microscopy was employed to investigate the subcellular localization of UL4 and characterize the transport mechanism in living cells. By constructing a series of deletion mutants fused with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein(EYFP),the nuclear export signals(NES)of UL4 were for the first time mapped to amino acid residues 178 to 186. In addition,the N-terminal 19 amino acids are identified to be required for the granule-like cytoplasmic pattern of UL4.Furthermore,the UL4 protein was demonstrated to be exported to the cytoplasm through the NES in a chromosomal region maintenance 1(CRM l)-dependent manner involving RanGTP hydrolysis.

A new approach on stress-related depression & anxiety: Neuro-Psycho- Physical-Optimization with Radio Electric Asymmetric-Conveyer.

Background & objectives: Chronic social stress is an important factor responsible for the worsening of depressive disorders in humans. In this study we present the relational Neuro-Psycho-Physical Optimization (NPPO) with Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC-CRM) as the treatment to tackle the unconscious dysfunction adjustments carried out by the central nervous system as a response to environmental stresses. Methods: Psychological stress was measured in a group of 888 patients using the Psychological Stress Measure (PSM) test, a self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected immediately before and after the 4-wk therapy cycle. The detection of anxiety and depression clusters by PSM test has been based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, APA, 2000) criteria. Six hundred and eighty eight patients (212 males, 476 females, average PSM test total scores 107.9 ± 23.13) were treated with REAC-CRM therapy; 200 (64 males, 136 females, average PSM test total scores 107.86 ± 25.80) were treated with “placebo REAC-CRM therapy” and used as control. Results: This study showed a significant reduction in scores measuring subjective perceptions of stress in the patients treated with a cycle of REAC-CRM therapy. At the end-point the number of patients reporting symptoms of stress-related anxiety and depression on the PSM test was significantly reduced (P<0.001); in the placebo group no significant difference was highlighted. Interpretation & conclusions: NPPO therapy with a cycle of REAC-CRM was shown to reduce subjective perceptions of stress measured by the PSM test and in particular, symptoms of stress-related anxiety and depression.

Fisioterapia convencional versus terapia EPAP no pós-operatório de cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio / Conventional physical therapy versus EPAP therapy in postoperative coronary artery bypass grafting

Introdução: Complicações pulmonares no pós-operatório imediato de cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM) aumentam o risco de morbi-mortalidade; a fisioterapia respiratória com suas técnicas e recursos, como a aplicação de pressão positiva tem sido testadas com o objetivo de diminuir as complicações. Objetivo: Comparar os efeitos da fisioterapia respiratória convencional (FRC) com a associação da FRC e EPAP (pressão positiva expiratória final) na função pulmonar e nos achados radiológicos no pósoperatório de CRM. Método: Ensaio clínico randomizado, composto por cinqüenta e quatro pacientes submetidos à CRM eletiva no Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul (IC-FUC/RS), entre julho e outubro de 2006, divididos em dois grupos: um que recebeu FRC (GA) e outro que além desta fez uso de EPAP (GB) e avaliados por meio de espirometria, manovacuometria e radiografia torácica no pré-operatório, 2o e 6o dia pós-operatório. Resultados: Valores espirométricos e de manovacuometria apresentaram variações significativas entre os três momentos avaliados independente da técnica, não havendo diferença significativa entre os grupos. O percentual de queda do VEF1 e da CVF relacionando 2o PO e 6o PO com o pré-operatório foi maior para o grupo EPAP com significância estatística (p ≤ 0,05), exceto para o VEF1 do 6o PO em relação ao pré-operatório (p=0,058). Nos achados radiológicos de tórax, não h ouve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos no que diz respeito a atelectasia. Conclusão: A terapia EPAP associada à FRC não demonstrou superioridade no pós-operatório imediato de CRM no que diz respeito à função pulmonar e aos achados radiológicos comparada à FRC (AU)

Introduction: Pulmonary complications in the immediate postoperative period of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) increase the morbidity and mortality risk. Respiratory physical therapy with its techniques and resources, such as application of positive pressure, have been tested with the aim of diminishing the complications. Objective: To compare the effects of conventional chest physical therapy (PT) with the EPAP+PT combination (expiratory positive airway pressure) on the pulmonary function and radiological findings in postoperative CABG. Method: Randomized clinical trial with 54 patients submitted to elective CABG at the Instituto de Cardiologia of Rio Grande do Sul (ICFUC/ RS) from Jul to Oct 2006, divided in two groups: one receiving PT (GA) and the other receiving both CT and EPAP (GB) and evaluated through spirometry, manovacuometry, and pre-operative and postoperative (day 2 and 6) thoracic X-rays. Results: Spirometric and manovacuometry values presented significant variations between the three time points regardless of the technique, with no significant difference between the groups. The percentage of VEF1 and CVF decrease at days 2PO and 6PO as compared to preoperative values was greater in the EPAP group, with statistical significance (pd"0.05), except for VEF1 at day 6PO as compared to the preoperative value (p=0.058). In the chest X-rays analysis, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups concerning atelectasis. Conclusion: EPAP+PT was not superior in the immediate postoperative CABG concerning pulmonary function and radiological findings as compared to PT (AU)