[Clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment strategies of patients with severe traumatic aortic injury].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment strategies of patients with severe traumatic aortic injury (TAI). Methods: A total of 25 patients with TAI, who hospitalized in our hospital between August 2005 to March 2021 and underwent thoracic aortic endovascular repair (TEVAR), were included in this retrospective study. According to the time from admission to TEVAR, the patients were divided into emergency TEVAR group (14 cases, TEVAR within 24 h of admission) and elective TEVAR group (11 cases, patients underwent surgery or fracture reduction and fixation first for serious injuries and then underwent TEVAR more than 24 h after admission). The general clinical data of patients, injury severity score (ISS), time from admission to intervention, total hospital stay, the proportion of closed chest drainage and the proportion of abdominal organ repair were obtained and compared. Clinical follow-up and 1-year postoperative aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA) were performed on the patients. Death, the occurrence of aortic adverse events and injury recovery were followed up and recorded. Results: The mean age of these 25 TAI patients was (41.4±14.4) years, 20 patients were males (80.0%). 21 patients (84.0%) had persistent chest and back pain, 17 (68.0%) had pleural effusion and 5 (20.0%) had mediastinal hematoma. The injury severity score (ISS) was significantly higher in the elective TEVAR group than in the emergency TEVAR group (24.9±14.4 vs. 35.5±9.3, P=0.044). The time from admission to intervention ((1.0±0.0) d vs. (3.4±0.9) d, P<0.001], the time from admission to TEVAR ((1.0±0.0) d vs. (11.5±13.8) d, P=0.030) and total hospital stay ((6.1±2.3) d vs. (26.8±7.7) d, P<0.001) were significantly longer in elective TEVAR group than in emergency TEVAR group. The proportion of thoracic closed drainage was significantly lower in the elective TEVAR group than in the emergency TEVAR group (9 (64.3%) vs. 2 (18.2%), P=0.042). The proportion of abdominal organ repair was significantly higher than in the emergency TEVAR group (0 vs. 4 (36.4%), P=0.026). All of 25 patients were discharged alive and followed up for (84.0±30.5) months. All patients survived and completed 1-year postoperation CTA. There were no aortic adverse events occurred, and no complications after surgery, and the fractures and organ injuries healed well. Conclusions: The clinical characteristics of severe TAI are acute multi-injuries combined with persistent chest and/or back pain, pleural effusion, and mediastinal hematoma. Timely diagnosis and treatment are important factors for the outcome. The treatment strategy for multi-injuries should give priority to dealing with life-threatening injuries. TEVAR is the primary treatment strategy for severe TAI and is related to satisfactory outcomes.

Association of Loss of Occlusal Pairs of Teeth with Sarcopenia in a Chinese Population of Community-Dwelling Elderly.

OBJECTIVES: Tooth loss, which usually leads to malnutrition, is common in the elderly. However, limited information is available regarding its association with sarcopenia. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between loss of occlusal pairs of tooth and sarcopenia. DESIGN: A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed. SETTING: The elderly who participated in the National Basic Public Health Project in the Maigaoqiao Community Medical Center in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2850 individuals aged ≥60 years were enrolled. MEASUREMENTS: Sarcopenia was defined according to the criteria proposed by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. A trained dentist assessed oral health status and counted the number of present teeth. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between the loss of occlusal pairs and sarcopenia. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 7.1% (201/2850). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that loss of occlusal pairs was associated with sarcopenia [anterior occlusal pairs (AOPs): odd ratio (OR) = 1.292, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.158-1.442; posterior occlusal pairs (POPs): OR = 1.147, 95% CI = 1.018-1.221]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that loss of POPs was still an independent risk for sarcopenia (OR = 1.108, 95% CI = 1.007-1.220) after adjustment for traditional confounders. Subgroup analysis showed that loss of POPs was more significantly linked to sarcopenia in those with advanced age (≥80years) (OR = 1.307, 95% CI = 1.116-1.532) and in females (OR = 1.165, 95%CI = 1.038-1.308). Compared to individuals with ≥5 occluding pairs of POPs, those with <5 occluding pairs of POPs had a higher incidence of sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of POPs is associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia in the elderly in a Chinese population. Further research on the mechanism of the observed causal relationship is needed.

Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling of the Correlation Between Prognosis Differences and PD-1 Expression in Sepsis: A Preliminary Study.

Objectives: The mortality rate of sepsis remains very high. Metabolomic techniques are playing increasingly important roles in diagnosis and treatment in critical care medicine. The purpose of our research was to use untargeted metabolomics to identify and analyze the common differential metabolites among patients with sepsis with differences in their 7-day prognosis and blood PD-1 expression and analyze their correlations with environmental factors. Methods: Plasma samples from 18 patients with sepsis were analyzed by untargeted LC-MS metabolomics. Based on the 7-day prognoses of the sepsis patients or their levels of PD-1 expression on the surface of CD4+ T cells in the blood, we divided the patients into two groups. We used a combination of multidimensional and monodimensional methods for statistical analysis. At the same time, the Spearman correlation analysis method was used to analyze the correlation between the differential metabolites and inflammatory factors. Results: In the positive and negative ionization modes, 16 and 8 differential metabolites were obtained between the 7-day death and survival groups, respectively; 5 and 8 differential metabolites were obtained between the high PD-1 and low PD-1 groups, respectively. We identified three common differential metabolites from the two groups, namely, PC (P-18:0/14:0), 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutyric acid and glyceraldehyde. Then, we analyzed the correlations between environmental factors and the common differences in metabolites. Among the identified metabolites, 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutyric acid was positively correlated with the levels of IL-2 and lactic acid (Lac) (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: These three metabolites were identified as common differential metabolites between the 7-day prognosis groups and the PD-1 expression level groups of sepsis patients. They may be involved in regulating the expression of PD-1 on the surface of CD4+ T cells through the action of related environmental factors such as IL-2 or Lac, which in turn affects the 7-day prognosis of sepsis patients.

A combination of three probiotic strains for treatment of acute diarrhoea in hospitalised children: an open label, randomised controlled trial.

Acute diarrhoea continues to be a leading cause of morbidity, hospitalisation, and mortality worldwide, and probiotics have been proposed as a complementary therapy in the treatment of acute diarrhoea. The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of three combined probiotic strains, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, as an adjunct to rehydration therapy in treatment of acute watery diarrhoea in hospitalised children. Eligible diarrheal children were randomised into intervention group (IG, n=96, conventional treatment for diarrhoea in combination with probiotics) and control group (CG, n=98, conventional treatment for diarrhoea without probiotics). The primary assessments of this study were duration of diarrhoea and hospital stay and improvement in diarrhoea symptoms. Significantly more children in the IG showed improvements in diarrhoea (defined as a decrease of stool frequency to no more than four times per day and an improved stool consistency within 24-48 h after the treatment) than those in the CG (96.9 vs 79.6%, P<0.05). Children supplemented with the mixed strains had a 22.5 h shorter (121.4±13.7 h vs 143.9±19.8 h) mean duration of diarrhoea and 1.2 d shorter hospital stays (5.1±1.2 d vs 6.3±1.4 d) than children only receiving the rehydration therapy (P<0.05). The prevalence of constipation of children in the IG (3.1%) was markedly lower (P<0.05) than that of children in the CG (13.3%) after treatment. In conclusion, the mixture of three probiotic strains given to children aged 1-3 years resulted in shorter durations of diarrhoea and hospitalisation and a higher percentage of improved children.

Global transcriptome analysis to identify critical genes involved in the pathology of osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify key pathological genes in osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: We searched and downloaded mRNA expression data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of joint synovial tissues from OA and normal individuals. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were used to assess the function of identified DEGs. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and transcriptional factors (TFs) regulatory network were used to further explore the function of identified DEGs. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied to validate the result of bioinformatics analysis. Electronic validation was performed to verify the expression of selected DEGs. The diagnosis value of identified DEGs was accessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1085 DEGs were identified. KEGG pathway analysis displayed that Wnt was a significantly enriched signalling pathway. Some hub genes with high interactions such as USP46, CPVL, FKBP5, FOSL2, GADD45B, PTGS1, and ZNF423 were identified in the PPI and TFs network. The results of qRT-PCR showed that GADD45B, ADAMTS1, and TFAM were down-regulated in joint synovial tissues of OA, which was consistent with the bioinformatics analysis. The expression levels of USP46, CPVL, FOSL2, and PTGS1 in electronic validation were compatible with the bio-informatics result. CPVL and TFAM had a potential diagnostic value for OA based on the ROC analysis. CONCLUSION: The deregulated genes including USP46, CPVL, FKBP5, FOSL2, GADD45B, PTGS1, ZNF423, ADAMTS1, and TFAM might be involved in the pathology of OA.Cite this article: X. Zhang, Y. Bu, B. Zhu, Q. Zhao, Z. Lv, B. Li, J. Liu. Global transcriptome analysis to identify critical genes involved in the pathology of osteoarthritis. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:298-307. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.74.BJR-2017-0245.R1.

NFBD1/MDC1 participates in the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose. The objective of the study was to investigate the role of NFBD1 in the proliferation and apoptosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) cells. Methods. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and qRT-PCR was employed to determine the expressions of NFBD1 protein and mRNA in LSCC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues. After the downregulation of NFBD1 expression, the colony formation assay, MTS assay and apoptosis assay were used to investigate the changes in the proliferation and apoptosis of Hep2 cells. The mechanisms by which silencing NFBD1 promote apoptosis of Hep2 cells were examined by western blotting. Furthermore, xenograft models were used to evaluate the proliferation of Hep2 cells in vivo. Results. NFBD1 protein was upregulated in 55.6% of LSCC cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues (26.7%). NFBD1 knockdown in Hep2 cells significantly impacted proliferation and apoptosis, and silencing NFBD1 might promote apoptosis of Hep2 cells by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Xenograft models showed that silencing NFBD1 also significantly inhibited tumor growth. Conclusions. Our data highlight that NFBD1 participates in the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in LSCC, and suggest that NFBD1 could be a promising therapy target (AU)

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NFBD1/MDC1 participates in the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to investigate the role of NFBD1 in the proliferation and apoptosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) cells. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and qRT-PCR was employed to determine the expressions of NFBD1 protein and mRNA in LSCC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues. After the downregulation of NFBD1 expression, the colony formation assay, MTS assay and apoptosis assay were used to investigate the changes in the proliferation and apoptosis of Hep2 cells. The mechanisms by which silencing NFBD1 promote apoptosis of Hep2 cells were examined by western blotting. Furthermore, xenograft models were used to evaluate the proliferation of Hep2 cells in vivo. RESULTS: NFBD1 protein was upregulated in 55.6% of LSCC cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues (26.7%). NFBD1 knockdown in Hep2 cells significantly impacted proliferation and apoptosis, and silencing NFBD1 might promote apoptosis of Hep2 cells by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Xenograft models showed that silencing NFBD1 also significantly inhibited tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: Our data highlight that NFBD1 participates in the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in LSCC, and suggest that NFBD1 could be a promising therapy target.

Leaching of Conductive Species: Implications to Measurements of Electrical Resistivity.

Electrical tests have been used to characterize the microstructure of porous materials, the measured electrical response being determined by the contribution of the microstructure (porosity and tortuosity) and the electrical properties of the solution (conductivity of the pore solution) inside the pores of the material. This study has shown how differences in concentration between the pore solution (i.e., the solution in the pores) and the storage solution surrounding the test specimen leads to significant transport (leaching) of the conductive ionic species between the pore solution and the storage solution. Leaching influences the resistivity of the pore solution, thereby influencing electrical measurements on the bulk material from either a surface or uniaxial bulk resistance test. This paper has three main conclusions: 1.) Leaching of conductive species does occur with concentration gradients and that a diffusion based approach can be used to estimate the time scale associated with this change. 2.) Leaching of ions in the pore solution can influence resistivity measurements, and the ratio of surface to uniaxial resistivity can be used as a method to assess the presence of leaching and 3.) An estimation of the magnitude of leaching for standardized tests of cementitious materials.

Temperature-controlled down-conversion luminescence behavior of Eu3+ -doped transparent MF2 (M = Ba, Ca, Sr) glass ceramics.

Eu3+ -doped transparent glass ceramics containing MF2 (M = Ba, Ca, Sr) nanocrystals were fabricated using a melt-quenching method, and the resulting structures were studied using X-ray diffraction. Levels 5 D1 and 5 D0 of Eu3+ ions were verified as thermally coupled levels using the fluorescence intensity ratio method. The fluorescence intensity ratios, optical temperature sensitivity and thermal quenching ratios of the transparent glass ceramics were studied as a function of temperature. With an increase in temperature, the relative sensitivity (SR ) decreased sharply at first, then slowly increased, before finally decreasing. The minimum SR values of GCBaF2 (GCB), GCCaF2 (GCC) and GCSrF2 (GCS) were 2.8 × 10-4 , 0.8 × 10-4 and 1.9 × 10-4  K-1 at 360, 269 and 319 K, respectively. Glass ceramics with an intense emission intensity can be used to convert the measured spectrum into temperature and may have an important role in temperature detectors.

Allele polymorphism and haplotype diversity of MICA/B in Tujia nationality of Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China.

Previous studies indicate the distribution of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related genes A (MICA) and B (MICB) alleles and haplotypes varies widely between different ethnic populations and geographic areas. It is meaningful to investigate allelic frequencies and establish a genetic database. In this study, we firstly reported the polymorphic variation of MICA/B in 187 healthy, unrelated Tujia individuals in Zhangjiajie region, China. Using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming (PCR-SSP) and sequencing-based typing (PCR-SBT), we identified eight MICA-sequence alleles, four MICA-short tandem repeat variants, and 13 MICB variants, of which MICA(∗)008:04 (29.41%), MICA(∗)A5 (29.68%), MICA(∗)A5.1 (29.68%) and MICB(∗)005:02 (39.57%) were the most frequent. Linkage disequilibrium analysis further revealed MICB(∗)005:02-MICA(∗)019 (13.10%) and MICB(∗)002-MICA(∗)008:04 (9.89%) as the most common two-locus haplotypes. Data comparison by neighbor-joining dendrograms and principal component analysis to verify allelic frequencies in other Chinese and Asia ethnic groups showed that the Zhangjiajie Tujias were genetically closer to the Guangdong Han population, based on MICA loci variability. Our results provide new information about the MICA/B gene polymorphism in Chinese Tujia population, which will form the basis for future studies on the potential role of MICA/B in allogeneic organ transplantation and disease susceptibility in related ethnic groups.

MICA/B genotyping of Tujias from Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China.

One hundred eighty-seven Tujia individuals from Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China were genotyped at the MICA and MICB loci using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming and sequencing-based typing methods. MICA and MCB genotypes are consistent with expected HW proportions. These genotype data are available in the Allele Frequencies Net Database.

Moderate swimming suppressed the growth and metastasis of the transplanted liver cancer in mice model: with reference to nervous system.

Physical activity has been shown to suppress tumor initiation and progression. The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) is closely related to movement and exhibits antitumor properties. However, whether the suppressive effects of physical activity on tumors was mediated by the nervous system via increased DA level remains unknowns. Here we show that regular moderate swimming (8 min/day, 9 weeks) raised DA levels in the prefrontal cortex, serum and tumor tissue, suppressed growth, reduced lung metastasis of transplanted liver cancer, and prolonged survival in a C57BL/6 mouse model, while overload swimming (16 and 32 min/day, 9 weeks) had the opposite effect. In nude mice that were orthotopically implanted with human liver cancer cell lines, DA treatment significantly suppressed growth and lung metastasis by acting on the D2 receptor (DR2). Furthermore, DR2 blockade attenuated the suppressive effect of moderate swimming on liver cancer. Both moderate swimming and DA treatment suppressed the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of transplanted liver cancer cells. At the molecular level, DR2 signaling inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and expression of TGF-ß1 in vitro. Together, these findings demonstrated a novel mechanism by which the moderate exercise suppressed liver cancer through boosting DR2 activity, while overload exercise had the opposite effect, highlighting the possible importance of the dopaminergic system in tumor growth and metastasis of liver cancer.

Silencing NFBD1/MDC1 enhances the radiosensitivity of human nasopharyngeal cancer CNE1 cells and results in tumor growth inhibition.

NFBD1 functions in cell cycle checkpoint activation and DNA repair following ionizing radiation (IR). In this study, we defined the NFBD1 as a tractable molecular target to radiosensitize nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. Silencing NFBD1 using lentivirus-mediated shRNA-sensitized NPC cells to radiation in a dose-dependent manner, increasing apoptotic cell death, decreasing clonogenic survival and delaying DNA damage repair. Furthermore, downregulation of NFBD1 inhibited the amplification of the IR-induced DNA damage signal, and failed to accumulate and retain DNA damage-response proteins at the DNA damage sites, which leaded to defective checkpoint activation following DNA damage. We also implicated the involvement of NFBD1 in IR-induced Rad51 and DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit foci formation. Xenografts models in nude mice showed that silencing NFBD1 significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of IR, leading to tumor growth inhibition of the combination therapy. Our studies suggested that a combination of gene therapy and radiation therapy may be an effective strategy for human NPC treatment.

Lower serum fibroblast activation protein shows promise in the exclusion of clinically significant liver fibrosis due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetes and obesity.

UNLABELLED: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in diabetes and obesity but few have clinically significant liver fibrosis. Improved risk-assessment is needed as the commonly used clinical-risk algorithm, the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), is often inconclusive. AIMS: To determine whether circulating fibroblast activation protein (cFAP), which is elevated in cirrhosis, has value in excluding significant fibrosis, particularly combined with NFS. METHODS: cFAP was measured in 106 with type 2 diabetes who had transient elastography (Cohort 1) and 146 with morbid obesity who had liver biopsy (Cohort 2). RESULTS: In Cohort 1, cFAP (per SD) independently associated with median liver stiffness (LSM) ≥ 10.3 kPa with OR of 2.0 (95% CI 1.2-3.4), p=0.006. There was 0.12 OR (95% CI 0.03-0.61) of LSM ≥ 10.3 kPa for those in the lowest compared with the highest FAP tertile (p=0.010). FAP levels below 730 pmol AMC/min/mL had 95% NPV for LSM ≥ 10.3 kPa and reclassified 41% of 64 subjects from NFS 'indeterminate-risk' to 'low-risk'. In Cohort 2, cFAP (per SD), associated with 1.7 fold (95% CI 1.1-2.8) increased odds of significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2), p=0.021, and low cFAP reclassified 49% of 73 subjects from 'indeterminate-risk' to 'low-risk'. CONCLUSIONS: Lower cFAP, when combined with NFS, may have clinical utility in excluding significant fibrosis in diabetes and obesity.

Quercetin and daidzein ß-apo-14'-carotenoic acid esters as membrane antioxidants.

Esterification by ß-apo-14'-carotenoic acid was found to have opposite effects on antioxidant activity of quercetin (at B4', B3' hydroxyl) as of daidzein (at A7 hydroxyl) in phosphatidylcholine liposomes. The daidzein ester had increased activity, while quercetin had a significant decreased activity. Quantum mechanical calculations using density function theory (DFT) indicate a modest decrease in bond dissociation enthalpy, BDE, for (weakest) hydrogen-oxygen phenolic bond in daidzein from 368.4 kJ · mol(- 1) to 367.7 kJ · mol(- 1) compared to a significant increase in quercetin from 329.5 kJ · mol(- 1) to 356.6 kJ · mol(- 1) upon derivatization. These opposite changes in tendency for hydrogen atom transfer from phenolic groups to lipid radicals combined with an increase in A-to-B dihedral angle from 0.0° to 36.4° and in dipole moment from 0.40 D to 6.01 D for quercetin upon derivatization, while less significant for daidzein (36.4°-36.7° and 3.26 D-7.87 D, respectively), together provide a rationale for the opposite effect of esterification on antioxidation.

General practitioners' knowledge and management of viral hepatitis in the migrant population.

BACKGROUND: Escalating morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections represent a major health burden in Australia, particularly among migrants from endemic areas who may present late. METHODS AND AIMS: We evaluated the knowledge and educational needs of general practitioners (GPs) in the St George Division, Sydney which serves a large migrant population. The aims of the study were to identify gaps in knowledge about viral hepatitis that may affect management and referral patterns. GPs completed a survey comprised of 15 questions. They were also invited to comment on barriers to managing viral hepatitis in migrant patients. RESULTS: A 44% response rate was achieved from 280 eligible GPs. Forty-two per cent of GPs lacked confidence in interpreting HCV serology and 20% for HBV serology. Twenty-two per cent of GPs did not recognise HCC as a complication of HBV and 18% for HCV. Twenty per cent of GPs were unaware of treatment for HBV. Forty-seven per cent of GPs were uncertain whether pregnant women could receive HCV treatment. Twenty-three per cent and 21% of respondents believed that all HCV- or HBV-infected mothers, respectively, should not breast-feed. Eighty-nine per cent of GPs identified language difficulties as the main barrier to treatment among the migrant population. CONCLUSIONS: There were gaps in the knowledge of GPs particularly concerning natural history, diagnosis, treatment availability and management of pregnant or lactating women with viral hepatitis. Specific educational initiatives targeting these deficits are required as well as increased availability of language resources for managing patients from a non-English-speaking background.

Barriers faced by migrants in accessing healthcare for viral hepatitis infection.

BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality of hepatitis B virus- and hepatitis C virus-related complications are disproportionately higher in the culturally and linguistically diverse population (CALD) when compared with Australian-born individuals. AIM: This project aims to elucidate the barriers faced by the CALD population in accessing viral hepatitis management. METHOD: CALD outpatients attending a viral hepatitis clinic in a tertiary teaching hospital were invited to participate in interviews. Questions pertained to: reason for screening for viral hepatitis, barriers to healthcare, perceived community view of viral hepatitis, main source of information of viral hepatitis and suggestions to engage members of CALD to seek healthcare. RESULTS: The total number of participants was 60. The two major countries of birth included China (40%) and Egypt (17%). In 40% of the cohort, viral hepatitis was identified through screening programmes. Importantly, 37% were diagnosed as a result of complications of hepatitis infection, presenting late in the stage of disease. Forty-five per cent of participants perceived language to be a chief barrier. twenty-two per cent reported cultural barriers to accessing healthcare. Of these, 53% reported fear of discrimination/stigma. The lack of knowledge of available treatments/options was stated as a major obstacle in 40%. The two prevailing recommendations were greater education and awareness (85%) and changes in the health system itself (11%). CONCLUSION: Substantial hurdles identified by participants include cultural differences, language difficulties, cultural beliefs, stigma and misinformation. These data demonstrate the need for the greater dissemination of information in culturally and linguistically appropriate mediums to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, pathogenesis and available treatments.

Spermatogenesis and sperm structure of Acerella muscorum, (Ionescu, 1930) (Hexapoda, Protura).

The general organization of the male genital system, the spermatogenesis and the sperm structure of the proturan Acerella muscorum have been described. At the apex of testis apical huge cells are present; their cytoplasm contains a conventional centriole, a large amount of dense material and several less electron-dense masses surrounded by mitochondria. Spermatocytes have normal centrioles and are interconnected by cytoplasmic bridges. Such bridges seem to be absent between spermatid cells and justify the lack of synchronization of cell maturation. Spermatids are almost globular cells with a spheroidal nucleus and a large mass of dense material corresponding to the centriole adjunct. Within this mass a centriole is preserved. Mitochondria of normal structure are located between the nucleus and the plasma membrane. The spermatids are surrounded by a thick membrane. No flagellar structure is formed. Sperm have a compact spheroidal nucleus, a large cap of centriole adjunct material within which a centriole is still visible. A layer of mitochondria is located over the nucleus. The cytoplasm is reduced in comparison to spermatids; many dense bodies are interspersed with sperm in the testicular lumen. The sperm are small, immotile cells of about 2.5-3microm in diameter.

Insulin receptor substrate 2 plays important roles in 17beta-estradiol-induced bone formation.

BACKGROUND: Discovering the mechanisms of the estrogen effects on the osteoblasts is very important for the development of new agents which have the clear-cut beneficial effects of estrogen while free of adverse effect. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the differential gene expression of 17beta-estradiol (E2)-treated osteoblast-like cells, and the effect of E2 on the insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS- 2) expression in human cultured osteoblast-like cells and the osteoblasts of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The differential gene expression of E2-treated osteoblast- like cells was analyzed by cytokine expression array and validated by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The protein expression and phosphorylation of one of the differentially expressed gene, IRS-2, treated at different times with E2 were analyzed. The Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and then treated with E2, the IRS-2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS: E2 upregulated the mRNA expression of IRS-2, bone morphogenetic protein 9, and connective tissue growth factor expression, down-regulated the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 15 and some tumor suppressor genes. Peak expression of IRS-2 was observed at 12-24 h of treatment by 10-8M E2. E2 can also increase the phosphorylation of IRS-2. The IRS-2 expression was down-regulated in the osteoblasts and bone marrow cells of the OVX rats, which had lower bone mineral density (BMD) than the normal rats. However, both BMD and IRS-2 expression can be rescued by 10-8M E2 in the OVX rats. CONCLUSION: IRS-2 in osteoblast is up-regulated by E2 and plays important roles in the estrogen- induced bone formation.

High-power efficient diode-pumped Nd:YVO4/LiB3O5 457 nm blue laser with 4.6 W of output power.

Continuous-wave 457 blue laser emission at powers as high as 4.6 W is achieved by using a fiber-coupled laser diode array with a power of 30 W to pump 0.1 at. % low-doped bulk Nd:YVO4 crystal, with intracavity frequency doubling in a 15 mm long type I critical phase-matched LiB3O5 (LBO) crystal in a compact three-fold cavity with a length of less than 100 mm. The optical-optical conversion efficiency is greater than 15.3%, and the stability of the output power is better than 3% for an hour.