Impact of pre-treatment extracellular volume fraction measured by computed tomography on response of primary lesion to preoperative chemotherapy in abdominal neuroblastoma.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively investigate the impact of pre-treatment Extracellular Volume Fraction (ECV) measured by Computed Tomography (CT) on the response of primary lesions to preoperative chemotherapy in abdominal neuroblastoma. METHODS: A total of seventy-five patients with abdominal neuroblastoma were retrospectively included in the study. The regions of interest for the primary lesion and aorta were determined on unenhanced and equilibrium phase CT images before treatment, and their average CT values were measured. Based on patient hematocrit and average CT values, the ECV was calculated. The correlation between ECV and the reduction in primary lesion volume was examined. A receiver operating characteristic curve was generated to assess the predictive performance of ECV for a very good partial response of the primary lesion. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between primary lesion volume reduction and ECV (r = -0.351, p = 0.002), and primary lesions with very good partial response had lower ECV (p < 0.001). The area under the curve for ECV in predicting the very good partial response of primary lesion was 0.742 (p < 0.001), with a 95 % Confidence Interval of 0.628 to 0.836. The optimal cut-off value was 0.28, and the sensitivity and specificity were 62.07 % and 84.78 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of pre-treatment ECV on CT images demonstrates a significant correlation with the response of the primary lesion to preoperative chemotherapy in abdominal neuroblastoma.

Impact of pre-treatment extracellular volume fraction measured by computed tomography on response of primary lesion to preoperative chemotherapy in abdominal neuroblastoma

Abstract Objectives: To retrospectively investigate the impact of pre-treatment Extracellular Volume Fraction (ECV) measured by Computed Tomography (CT) on the response of primary lesions to preoperative chemotherapy in abdominal neuroblastoma. Methods: A total of seventy-five patients with abdominal neuroblastoma were retrospectively included in the study. The regions of interest for the primary lesion and aorta were determined on unenhanced and equilibrium phase CT images before treatment, and their average CT values were measured. Based on patient hematocrit and average CT values, the ECV was calculated. The correlation between ECV and the reduction in primary lesion volume was examined. A receiver operating characteristic curve was generated to assess the predictive performance of ECV for a very good partial response of the primary lesion. Results: There was a negative correlation between primary lesion volume reduction and ECV (r = -0.351, p = 0.002), and primary lesions with very good partial response had lower ECV (p < 0.001). The area under the curve for ECV in predicting the very good partial response of primary lesion was 0.742 (p < 0.001), with a 95 % Confidence Interval of 0.628 to 0.836. The optimal cut-off value was 0.28, and the sensitivity and specificity were 62.07 % and 84.78 %, respectively. Conclusions: The measurement of pre-treatment ECV on CT images demonstrates a significant correlation with the response of the primary lesion to preoperative chemotherapy in abdominal neuroblastoma.

Paclitaxel liposome, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil-based induction chemotherapy followed by de-escalated intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin in stage IVA-IVB childhood nasopharyngeal carcinoma in endemic area: a phase II, single-arm trial.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated that induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by de-escalated chemoradiotherapy adapted to tumor response was effective in treating childhood nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but the toxicity profile of this treatment strategy, and whether childhood patients with advanced stages can obtain enough benefits from it requires further investigation. Methods: We conducted a single-center phase II trial (NCT03020329). All participants received 3 cycles of paclitaxel liposome, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF)-based IC. Patients who showed complete or partial response received de-escalated radiotherapy of 60 Gy with 3 cycles of concurrent cisplatin, and those who showed stable or progressive disease received standard-dose radiotherapy of 70 Gy with concurrent cisplatin. The primary endpoint was the complete response (CR) rate at the end of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Findings: From November 2016 to March 2021, 44 patients were recruited in the cohort. The CR rate was 80% (35/44, 95% CI, 65-90) of the whole cohort. All patients achieved CR 3 months after CCRT. By the last follow-up, the 3-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 91% (95% CI, 82-99) and 100% respectively. Dry mouth was the most common late toxicity, with an incidence of 41% (18/44), followed by skin fibrosis and hearing impairment. No patient suffered from severe late toxicity and growth retardation. Interpretation: Our results proved the efficacy and safety of TPF regimen followed by de-escalated radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin in treating stage IVa-b childhood NPC patients. Funding: A full list of funding bodies that contributed to this study can be found in the Acknowledgements section.

Mapping global zoonotic niche and interregional transmission risk of monkeypox: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of monkeypox have been ongoing in non-endemic countries since May 2022. A thorough assessment of its global zoonotic niche and potential transmission risk is lacking. METHODS: We established an integrated database on global monkeypox virus (MPXV) occurrence during 1958 - 2022. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to examine the evolution of MPXV and effective reproductive number (Rt) was estimated over time to examine the dynamic of MPXV transmissibility. The potential ecological drivers of zoonotic transmission and inter-regional transmission risks of MPXV were examined. RESULTS: As of 24 July 2022, a total of 49 432 human patients with MPXV infections have been reported in 78 countries. Based on 525 whole genome sequences, two main clades of MPXV were formed, of which Congo Basin clade has a higher transmissibility than West African clade before the 2022-monkeypox, estimated by the overall Rt (0.81 vs. 0.56), and the latter significantly increased in the recent decade. Rt of 2022-monkeypox varied from 1.14 to 4.24 among the 15 continuously epidemic countries outside Africa, with the top three as Peru (4.24, 95% CI: 2.89-6.71), Brazil (3.45, 95% CI: 1.62-7.00) and the United States (2.44, 95% CI: 1.62-3.60). The zoonotic niche of MPXV was associated with the distributions of Graphiurus lorraineus and Graphiurus crassicaudatus, the richness of Rodentia, and four ecoclimatic indicators. Besides endemic areas in Africa, more areas of South America, the Caribbean States, and Southeast and South Asia are ecologically suitable for the occurrence of MPXV once the virus has invaded. Most of Western Europe has a high-imported risk of monkeypox from Western Africa, whereas France and the United Kingdom have a potential imported risk of Congo Basin clade MPXV from Central Africa. Eleven of the top 15 countries with a high risk of MPXV importation from the main countries of 2022-monkeypox outbreaks are located at Europe with the highest risk in Italy, Ireland and Poland. CONCLUSIONS: The suitable ecological niche for MPXV is not limited to Africa, and the transmissibility of MPXV was significantly increased during the 2022-monkeypox outbreaks. The imported risk is higher in Europe, both from endemic areas and currently epidemic countries. Future surveillance and targeted intervention programs are needed in its high-risk areas informed by updated prediction.

Effect of tumor exosome-derived Lnc RNA HOTAIR on the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: HOX transcribed antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is a long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) that promotes tumor progression. Exosomes are critically involved in cancer progression. The presence of HOTAIR in the circulating exosomes and the roles of exosomal HOTAIR in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of HOTAIR in exosomes in promoting the growth and metastasis of GC. METHODS: Serum exosomes from GC patients were captured by CD63 immunoliposome magnetic spheres (CD63-IMS), and the biological characteristics of the exosomes were identified. The expression levels of HOTAIR in GC cells, tissues, serum and serum exosomes were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), and the clinicopathological correlation was statistically analyzed. The growth and metastasis abilities of GC cells with HOTAIR knockdown in vitro were evaluated by cell experiment. The effects of HOTAIR highly-expressed NCI-N87 cell-derived exosomes were used to treat HOTAIR lowly-expressed MKN45 cells on GC growth and metastasis were also evaluated. RESULTS: The exosomes isolated by CD63-IMS had a particle size of 89.78 ± 4.8 nm and were oval membranous particles. The expression of HOTAIR in tumor tissues and serum of GC patients was increased (P < 0.05), and the expression of HOTAIR in serum exosomes was significantly increased (P < 0.01). The in NCI-N87 and MKN45 cell experiment demonstrated that HOTAIR knockdown by RNA interference suppressed cell growth and metastasis in NCI-N87 cells. Coculture of exosomes secreted by NCI-N87 cells with MKN45 cells significantly increased the expression of HOTAIR, and enhanced cell growth and metastasis. CONCLUSION: LncRNA HOTAIR can be used as a potential biomarker which provides a new way for the diagnosis and treatment of GC.

Monitoring physiological and biochemical indices in the systematic training of sprinters / Monitoramento de índices fisiológicos e bioquímicos no treino sistemático de velocistas / Monitoreo de los índices fisiológicos y bioquímicos en el entrenamiento sistemático de velocistas

ABSTRACT Introduction This paper studies physiological and biochemical indicators in the systematic training of sprinters. This paper analyzes the data measured during the athletes' training process and studies the detailed data of their physical functions. Objective This study aimed to find a link between exercise data and biochemical indicator data in sprinter athletes. By analyzing the data from this article, the researchers were able to find the optimal training program for the athletes. Methods High-intensity aerobic training tests were performed with statistical analysis of various physiological and biochemical indicators. Results Hemoglobin data were shown to be highly sensitive to intensity. The researchers found that long-term high-load training in athletes can lead to physical fatigue. This fatigue production is positively correlated with the intensity of the training load. Conclusion There is a strong positive correlation between biochemical and physiological indicators on performance levels in sprinter athletes. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the results.

RESUMO Introdução Este artigo estuda o monitoramento de indicadores fisiológicos e bioquímicos no treino sistemático de velocistas. Este documento analisa os dados medidos durante o processo de treino das atletas e estuda os dados detalhados de suas funções físicas. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi encontrar uma ligação entre os dados de exercício e os dados de indicadores bioquímicos nas atletas velocistas. Ao analisar as informações deste artigo, os pesquisadores conseguiram encontrar um programa de treino ideal para as atletas. Métodos Foram empegadas experiências de treino aeróbico de alta intensidade, com análise estatística de vários indicadores fisiológicos e bioquímicos. Resultados Os dados de hemoglobina mostraram-se altamente sensíveis à intensidade. Os pesquisadores descobriram que o treino a longo prazo de alta carga em atletas pode acarretar numa fadiga física. Essa produção de fadiga está positivamente correlacionada com a intensidade da carga de treino. Conclusão Há uma forte correlação positiva entre indicadores bioquímicos e fisiológicos nos níveis de desempenho em atletas velocistas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação de Resultados.

RESUMEN Introducción Este trabajo estudia el seguimiento de los indicadores fisiológicos y bioquímicos en el entrenamiento sistemático de los velocistas. Este artículo analiza los datos medidos durante el proceso de entrenamiento de los atletas y estudia los datos detallados de sus funciones físicas. Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio fue encontrar una relación entre los datos del ejercicio y los datos de los indicadores bioquímicos en los atletas velocistas. Al analizar las informaciones de este artículo, los investigadores pudieron encontrar un programa de entrenamiento óptimo para los atletas. Métodos Se realizaron pruebas de entrenamiento aeróbico de alta intensidad con análisis estadístico de varios indicadores fisiológicos y bioquímicos. Resultados Los datos de la hemoglobina se mostraron muy sensibles a la intensidad. Los investigadores descubrieron que el entrenamiento de alta carga a largo plazo en los atletas puede conducir a la fatiga física. Esta producción de fatiga está positivamente correlacionada con la intensidad de la carga de entrenamiento. Conclusión Existe una fuerte correlación positiva entre los indicadores bioquímicos y fisiológicos en los niveles de rendimiento de los atletas velocistas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados.

Mitochondrial composition of and diffusion limiting factors of three social wasp genera Polistes, Ropalidia, and parapolybia (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).

BACKGROUND: Social wasps Polistes, Ropalidia, and Parapolybia, belonging to the subfamily Polistinae, have obviously different distribution patterns, yet the factors leading to this difference remain unknown. RESULTS: The 17 newly sequenced mitogenomes of Polistes, Ropalidia, and Parapolybia contain 37 genes, and there are obvious differences among the compositions of the three genera. The monophyly of the genus Polistes and a monophyletic Ropalidiini: (Ropalidia + Parapolybia) are concordant with previous morphological analysis of the subfamily Polistinae. Our inferred divergence time demonstrates Polistes (at around 69 Ma) was diverged earlier than Ropalidia and Parapolybia (at around 61 Ma). The rearrangement of both trnY and trnL1 are shared by all the Polistinae. In addition, the unique rearrangement of TDRL derived at 69 Ma is detected in Polistes, and Ropalidia contains a Reversal which may derive at 61 Ma. Hereafter, the possibility is elaborated that Polistes originated in Aisa and then dispersed from Africa to South America, and Polistes and Ropalidia spread from Southeast Asia to Australia. At last, continental drift and Quaternary Ice Ages are inferred to be two main limiting factors in the current distributions of the three genera. CONCLUSIONS: Obvious differences occur in the mitochondrial composition of Polistes, Ropalidia, and Parapolybia. According to the reconstructed time-calibrated framework, it is inquired that the continental drifts and the climate are mainly diffusion limiting factors of the three genera.

Antibiofilm and immunomodulatory resorbable nanofibrous filing for dental pulp regenerative procedures.

Multifunctional scaffolds with host defense peptides designed for regenerative endodontics are desirable nanobiotechnological tools for dentistry. Here, different scaffolds were tested for use during the pulp revascularization process, including poly(vinyl alcohol)-PVA hydrogels or resins, collagen hydrogels and poly(vinyl alcohol) PVA/Chitosan (PVA/CS) nanofibers. Based on time to degradation (21 days), nanofibers were chosen to be incorporated with ciprofloxacin and IDR-1002 (each at 50 mg/g). Nanofibers containing ciprofloxacin and IDR-1002 had anti-biofilm activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and a multispecies oral biofilm, besides anti-inflammatory activities. The in vivo subcutaneous tissue response to tooth fragments filled with nanofibers demonstrated a pulp-like tissue formation, when compared to empty teeth fragments. Thus, we designed a strong antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and regenerative candidate for pulp revascularization and regeneration procedures.

Characterization of a novel shrimp pathogen, Vibrio brasiliensis, isolated from Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei.

A novel pathogenic strain Vibrio 20190611023 was isolated from the hepatopancreas of moribund cultured Penaeus vannamei suffering from black gill disease. This strain was identified as V. brasiliensis based on the phylogenetic analyses of 16S rDNA gene and five other housekeeping genes (i.e., gapA, ftsZ, mreB, topA and gyrB). Some biochemical features of this strain were determined with an API 20NE system, and its haemolytic activity was determined using a sheep blood agar plate. The pathogenicity of this isolate 20190611023 was confirmed by the experimental challenge tests and histopathological examinations. P. vannamei were challenged via reverse gavage with different doses of bacterial suspensions. The calculated median lethal dose (LD50 ) was (3.16 ± 1.78) × 105  CFU/g (body weight). Moreover, antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed, the results of which showed that the strain 20190611023 was sensitive to chloramphenicol, compound sulphamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and oxacillin, but resistant to erythromycin, kanamycin, gentamicin, cefoperazone, ceftriaxone, cefamezin and piperacillin. To our knowledge, this is the first report for demonstrating V. brasiliensis as a shrimp pathogen, which expands the host range of V. brasiliensis infection. The present study highlights that more attention should be paid to this novel pathogen in intensive shrimp aquaculture.

Cross pollination of different peony cultivars with 'Feng dan' / Polinização cruzada de diferentes cultivares de peônia com 'Fengdan'

ABSTRACT: Paeonia ostii 'Feng dan' is recommended as a new promising oil crop because of the nutrient elements in its seed; however, the development of this new oil crop is now limited due to its low seed setting rate. This study identified ways to improve the cross pollination of Feng dan as the maternal parent, which has been proved to be a suitable oil crop, so as to improve the seed setting rate of 'Feng dan', and to predict the functional relationship between pollen vigor and seed setting rate. improving the efficiency of cross pollination. Three major steps were conducted, first, to screen the appropriate method of measuring pollen vigor of the paternal parent, which could have a strong relationship with seed setting rate. Second, to obtain the corresponding seed setting rate by cross pollination. Third, the functional relationship between two indexes was founded which could be used in cross pollination practice. Results indicated that the best paternal parents of 'Feng dan' were 'Feng dan' cultivars from other different cultivation populations; The most suitable medium concentration for pollen germination was 100~150 g/L sucrose, 0.06~0.08 g/L boric acid, and 50~200 g/L PEG-6000. Both the seed setting rate and the number of seed grains were positively correlated with the pollen activity, and the seed setting rate was negatively correlated with the local precipitation.

RESUMO: Peonia, Feng dan' (Paeonia ostia) do género Paeonia (o grupo lenhoso) é recomendado como uma nova cultura promissora na produção de óleos, devido aos elementos nutritivos na semente, no entanto, o desenvolvimento desta nova cultura está agora limitado devido às baixas taxas de fixação de sementes. Este estudo tem por objetivo identificar meios de melhorar a polinização cruzada de 'Feng dan' como o parental paterno, por ser uma cultura de óleo adequada, de modo a melhorar as taxas de fixação de sementes de 'Feng dan', e para prever a relação funcional entre o vigor do pólen e as taxas de fixação de sementes para melhorar a eficiência da experiência de polinização. Em primeiro lugar, foram realizados três passos para analisar o método de medição do vigor do pólen do pai paternal, que poderia ter uma relação forte com as taxas de fixação das sementes. Em segundo lugar, obter as taxas de fixação de sementes correspondentes por polinização cruzada. Em terceiro lugar, foi estabelecida a relação funcional entre dois índices que poderiam ser utilizados na prática da polinização cruzada. Os resultados indicaram que os melhores parentais paternos de 'Feng dan' eram cultivares de 'Feng dan' de outras populações de cultivo diferentes. A concentração de meio mais adequada para a germinação do pólen foi 100~150 g/L de sacarose, 0,06~0,08 g/L ácido bórico, e 50~200 g/L PEG-6000. Tanto a taxa de estabelecimento das sementes como o número de sementes foram positivamente correlacionados com a atividade do pólen, e a taxa de estabelecimento das sementes foi negativamente correlacionada com a precipitação local.

Cortical Morphometry is Associated with Neuropsychological Function in Healthy 8-Year-Old Children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cortical development is essential for children's neurocognition. In this study, we evaluated how variations in cortical morphometry in normal children are associated with outcome differences in multiple domains of cognition. METHODS: Eight-year-old children were recruited for a brain MRI followed by a battery of neuropsychological assessments. The MRI scan included 3D-T1-weighted imaging for cortical morphometry in 34 regions defined by the Desikan atlas. The neuropsychological assessments included the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS) for IQ, Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF-4) for language, Children's Memory Scale (CMS) for memory, Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT-4) for academic skills, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) for executive functions. The relationships between MRI measured cortical features, including gray matter volume, surface area, and cortical thickness for different brain regions and neuropsychological test scores, were evaluated using partial correlation analyses controlled for age and sex. RESULTS: RIAS/CELF-4/CMS/WRAT-4/BRIEF scores showed significant correlations (R: [.38-.44], P: [.005-.046]) with gray matter volume, surface area, or cortical thickness in multiple brain regions. Gray matter volume in the medial orbitofrontal/ventromedial prefrontal cortex appeared to be a sensitive marker for overall neurocognition as it significantly correlated with IQ, language, memory, and executive function behaviors. The superior temporal gyrus and banks of superior temporal sulcus appeared to be most sensitive to reflect overall language function as their cortical features consistently correlated with language-related test scores. CONCLUSIONS: Cortical morphometry significantly correlated with neuropsychological function in healthy children; certain regions/features may serve as sensitive imaging markers.

Laryngeal paracoccidioidomycosis presenting as solitary true vocal fold disease.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic granulomatous disease caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis or P. lutzii. It is a neglected tropical infectious disease that poses a major public health burden in endemic areas of Latin America. Mucosae of the upper digestive and respiratory tracts are commonly involved and many patients have disease at multiple mucosal sites, with or without lung involvement. Mucosal PCM presenting as solitary true vocal fold disease is relatively rare. We present the case of a 67-year-old Brazilian forest guard who presented with a 6-month history of hoarseness and globus pharyngeus due to a solitary left true vocal fold infiltration and vegetation diagnosed as PCM. Silent pulmonary disease was also present. A laryngoscopy video is offered as supplemental material to this report. He completely remitted after surgical removal and amphotericin B deoxycholate treatment.

Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Sjögren Syndrome Patients With Refractory Thrombocytopenia: A Retrospective Study of 21 Cases.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies suggested a potential of rituximab (RTX) in treating autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP) secondary to autoimmune diseases. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of RTX therapy in patients with refractory AITP secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren syndrome (SS). METHODS: Twenty-one SLE and/or SS patients with treatment-resistant AITP were treated once or repeatedly with RTX at the Rheumatology Clinic Renji Hospital, during the period March 2012 to June 2014. Clinical and laboratory variables recorded at every follow-up visit were analyzed. RESULTS: The median age of all patients was 37.05 ± 3.15 years (range, 13-67 years; 20 female and 1 male). The median AITP duration before RTX treatment was 5.46 years. Previous treatments of 21 patients included immunosuppressive agents such as corticosteroids (n = 19), cyclosporine (n = 9), mycophenolate mofetil (n = 2), methotrexate (n = 3), cyclophosphamide (n = 2), vincristine (n = 3), and hydroxychloroquine (n = 15), and 7 patients received concomitantly intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Two patients had undergone splenectomy without improvement. Seventeen patients (80.95%) were treated repeatedly with RTX during the follow-up period. The overall response rate to RTX treatment (including complete response, 52.38%; partial response, 28.57%) was 80.95%. A significant increase (P < 0.05) of platelet counts was seen after 1 month (median, 32.24 × 10/mL vs 66.53 × 10/mL). Relapses occurred mostly during the first 9 months, and maintaining duration of response was 10.27 months (range, 2-17 months) on average after the first RTX infusion. Antiplatelet antibodies, especially IgG isotype, decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after RTX treatment. No adverse effects were observed among 15 patients (71.4%); however, 2 cases died of severe pneumonia, and another developed lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: Rituximab is an additional potent therapeutic treatment option for SLE and SS patients with AITP refractory to conventional immunosuppressive treatments. For most patients, RTX was safe and well tolerated.

Inhibitory effect of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins on advanced glycation end product formation in a lactose-lysine model system

Background Industrial food processing induces protein glycation modifications and toxic advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which affect human health. Therefore, it is of interest to monitor AGEs in food processing. The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidin (LSOPC) concentrations, solution pH value and metal ions on AGE formation by heat treatment of lactose-lysine model solutions. Ne-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), as one of the common AGEs was also determined by HPLC-MS/MS in this experiment. Results The results showed that LSOPC can inhibit the formation of AGEs effectively at higher concentrations, lower temperature, and it can reverse the promotion function of metal ions because of its high inhibition activity. Also, LSOPC can inhibit CML formation in the Maillard reaction as well. Conclusion These results indicated that LSOPC could be used as functional food ingredients to inhibit AGE formation.

Dissolution of human enamel in still flavoured water drinks in vitro

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the erosive potential of these drinks using human enamel in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A range of bottled, still flavoured water drinks available in the UK were investigated and their erosive potential was compared by measuring pH and titratable acidity. Six beverages were chosen for the main study and also both a negative (distilled water) and positive control (orange juice). Human enamel specimens were prepared, sectioned and varnished leaving an exposure window visible to have contact with test solutions. Each specimen was randomly allocated in groups of six. Each group was exposed to 20 ml of one of the eight test solutions for 10, 30, 60 and 90 min. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence was used to ensure the teeth selected were free of artefacts and diseased areas. Erosion was measured using non-contact optical profilometry. RESULTS: Enamel loss occurred with all test drinks and the positive control (p<0.05) and in most cases the still water drinks were just as erosive as the positive control. Only vitamin water at 30 min was not significantly different from the negative control (p= 0.86), All drinks tested resulted in significant enamel loss (p<0.01). These results may indicate that consumers should think of still water beverages as potentially acidic drinks rather than just flavoured healthy water alternatives. CONCLUSION: This study indicates the need for preventive advice to be given by dentists about such beverages and therefore ultimately to make patients and consumers more aware of hidden erosive risks.

New methymycin derivatives of Streptomyces venezuelae ATCC 15439 and their inhibitory effects on human T cell proliferation mediated by PMA/ionomycin.

Two new methymycin derivatives, 3'-demethylmethymycin (1) and 3'-demethyldeoxymethymycin (2), together with seven known ones (3-9), were obtained from the strain Streptomyces venezuelae ATCC 15439. Their structures were determined on the basis of IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. In addition, the inhibitory effects of all the compounds on human T cell proliferation mediated by PMA/ionomycin were evaluated. The data suggested for the first time that methymycin derivatives have potential anti-inflammatory activity.

Improvement of influenza vaccine strain A/Vietnam/1194/2004 (H5N1) growth with the neuraminidase packaging sequence from A/Puerto Rico/8/34.

H5N1 influenza candidate vaccine viruses were developed using the "6+2" approach. The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes were derived from the popular H5N1 virus and the remaining six internal segments were derived from the A/Puerto Rico/8/34 strain (H1N1, PR8). However, some of these candidate strains have been reported to produce relatively low yields in vaccine manufacture. In this study, we found that the NA vRNA of the A/Vietnam/1194/2004 strain (H5N1, VN1194) was poorly packaged into recombinant viruses with a backbone of PR8 genes, which resulted in the formation of defective virions that did not include the NA vRNA in the genome. Using recombinant DNA techniques, we constructed a chimeric NA gene with the coding region of VN1194 NA flanked by the packaging signal sequence of the PR8 NA gene (41 bp form the 3' end of the vRNA and 67 bp from the 5' end). The packaging of the NA vRNA was restored to normal levels in the recombinant viruses containing the chimeric NA gene. Recombinant viruses containing the chimeric NA replicated much better in chicken embryonated eggs than viruses with the wild-type NA from VN1194. These findings suggest a novel strategy to improve in ovo growth of vaccine strains and to increase the number of vaccine doses available to save people if a pandemic were to occur.

Protective effects of the alcohol dehydrogenase-ADH1B allele in children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To examine alcohol use for mothers with and without an ADH1B*3 allele and the moderating effects of the maternal and child ADH1B*3 allele on a broad range of infant and 7.5-year outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Blood samples from 263 black mother/child pairs (217 mothers and 239 children) were analyzed to determine incidence of the ADH1B allele and the relation of the maternal allele to pregnancy drinking assessed at every prenatal clinic visit. Moderating effects of ADH1B were examined by dichotomizing the moderator variable and performing regression analyses on the 2 groups. RESULTS: Pregnancy drinking at conception was less frequent in the presence of the ADH1B*3 allele, and virtually no adverse effects were found in children whose mothers had at least one ADH1B*3 allele. By contrast to the maternal allele, we found no consistent pattern of greater vulnerability in children lacking the ADH1B*3 allele. CONCLUSIONS: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the maternal ADH1B*3 allele provides some protection to the fetus from prenatal alcohol exposure.