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We present Very Large Telescope/Spectrograph for INtegral Field Observations in the Near Infrared (VLT/SINFONI) observations of 35 quasars at 2.1 < z < 3.2, the majority of which were selected from the Clusters Around Radio-Loud AGN (CARLA) survey. CARLA quasars have large C  iv -based black hole masses (M BH > 109 M⊙) and powerful radio emission (⁠|$P_{500\, \rm MHz}$|  > 27.5 W Hz−1). We estimate H α-based M BH, finding a scatter of 0.35 dex compared to C  iv. We evaluate several recipes for correcting C  iv -based masses, which reduce the scatter to 0.24 dex. The radio power of the radio-loud quasars is at most weakly correlated with the interconnected quantities H αwidth, L 5100, and M BH, suggesting that it is governed by different physical processes. However, we do find a strong inverse correlation between C  iv blueshift and radio power linked to higher Eddington ratios and L 5100. Under standard assumptions, the black hole (BH) growth time is longer than the cosmic age for many CARLA quasars, suggesting that they must have experienced more efficient growth in the past. If these BHs were growing from seeds since the epoch of reionization, it is possible that they grew at the Eddington limit like the quasars at z ∼ 6–7, and then continued to grow at the reduced rates observed until z ∼ 2–3. Finally, we study the relation between M BH and environment, finding a weak positive correlation between M BH and galaxydensity measured by CARLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subdural hematoma (SDH) is associated with a high mortality rate. The risk of SDH in cirrhotic patients has not been well studied. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the risk of SDH in cirrhotic patients. Design: A retrospective study from a universal insurance claims database of Taiwan. Methods: A cohort of 9455 liver cirrhotic patients from 2000 to 2011 and an age-and sex-matched control cohort of 35992 subjects without cirrhosis were identified. The severity of liver cirrhosis was classified into uncomplicated and complicated according to presence of complications or not. The incidence and hazard ratio of SDH were measured by the end of 2011. Results: The mean follow-up years were 4.34±3.45 years in the cirrhosis cohort and 6.3663.28 years in the non-cirrhosis cohort. The incidence of SDH was 2.73-fold higher in the cirrhosis cohort than in the control cohort (29.3 vs. 10.9 per 10 000 person-years), with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.73 (95% CI=2.19-3.42), 2.42 (95% CI=1.89-3.08), and 5.07 (95% CI=3.38-7.60) in the all liver cirrhosis, the uncomplicated liver cirrhosis, and the complicated liver cirrhosis patients compared to the control cohort. The adjusted hazard ratios were 2.65 (95% CI=2.06-3.41) for traumatic SDH and 3.09 (95% CI 1.91-5.02) for non-traumatic SDH in liver cirrhosis patients, compared to the controls. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that patients with cirrhosis are at higher risk of both traumatic and non-traumatic SDH than individuals without cirrhosis. The risk increases further in patients with complicated liver cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of a gravitationally lensed hyperluminous infrared galaxy (intrinsic LIR ≈ 1013 L⊙) with strong radio emission (intrinsic L1.4 GHz ≈ 1025 W Hz-1) at z = 2.553. The source was identified in the citizen science project SPACE WARPS through the visual inspection of tens of thousands of iJKs colour composite images of luminous red galaxies (LRGs), groups and clusters of galaxies and quasars. Appearing as a partial Einstein ring (re ≈ 3 arcsec) around an LRG at z = 0.2, the galaxy is extremely bright in the sub-millimetre for a cosmological source, with the thermal dust emission approaching 1 Jy at peak. The redshift of the lensed galaxy is determined through the detection of the CO(3→2) molecular emission line with the Large Millimetre Telescope's Redshift Search Receiver and through [O III] and Hα line detections in the near-infrared from Subaru/Infrared Camera and Spectrograph. We have resolved the radio emission with high-resolution (300-400 mas) eMERLIN L-band and Very Large Array C-band imaging. These observations are used in combination with the near-infrared imaging to construct a lens model, which indicates a lensing magnification of μ ≈ 10. The source reconstruction appears to support a radio morphology comprised of a compact (<250 pc) core and more extended component, perhaps indicative of an active nucleus and jet or lobe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dermatopathology training is often limited by facilities and a dearth of specialists. Advancements in information and communication technologies have made possible the adoption of innovative learning techniques, especially in places where specialists are lacking. Objectives To implement and evaluate the performance of the iSlide system, which is an interactive dermatopathology training platform (). Methods Fifty-two cases representing a variety of dermatopathology conditions and complications were used to set up the iSlide system, and virtual slides of these cases were produced. Medical students from the Dermatology Department of Taipei Medical University were taught to use the system. Performance of the system was evaluated and validated using questionnaires, the first comprising 20 questions and the second a shorter, six-question telephone-based survey on 15 of the 96 interns. Twenty cases prepared by the iSlide system were also presented at an international dermatopathology conference and evaluated by conference participants. Results Ninety-six students and 72 experts participated in the study. Ninety-two per cent of the students and 98% of the experts found the iSlide system to be a useful tool for learning dermatopathology. Of these, 82% of the students and 63% of the experts felt that iSlide was easy to use. Conclusions iSlide is useful for dermatopathology. As only 82% of the student evaluators and 63% of the expert evaluators found the system easy to use, further work has to be done to improve the iSlide interface to make the system more user friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms ( DRESS) is a severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction. However, its histopathological features have not been well defined. Objectives To identify the clinicohistopathological findings of DRESS, and analyse the cutaneous histopathological changes observed in DRESS compared with those observed in maculopapular exanthema ( MPE). Methods In a retrospective study, conducted at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Taiwan) between 2001 and 2011, we compared the clinicohistopathological features of 32 patients with probable/definite DRESS (defined by the Regi SCAR scoring system) with those of 17 patients with MPE. Results The major pathological changes observed in patients with DRESS included dyskeratosis (97%), epidermal spongiosis (78%), interface vacuolization (91%), perivascular lymphocytic infiltration (97%) and eosinophilic infiltration (72%). Many pathological features were common to both MPE and DRESS. However, severe dyskeratosis, epidermal spongiosis and severe interface vacuolization were significantly more prominent in cases of DRESS ( P < 0·05). The presence of severe dyskeratosis was significantly associated with the clinical severity of renal impairment ( P = 0·01). Conclusions The severe dyskeratosis detected in patients with DRESS may correlate with a greater extent of systemic involvement compared with that noted in MPE. However, the histopathological changes associated with DRESS are not entirely specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our purpose was to determine whether numbers of CD4+CD25+ T [T regulatory (Treg)] cells and mRNA expression of functional molecules of Treg are related to airway allergy and disease severity in 51 paediatric patients with allergic rhinitis or bronchial asthma and 47 healthy controls. Surface markers were evaluated with flow cytometry, and mRNA was determined with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Children with allergic disease had fewer CD4+CD25+ T cells (8·49% ± 2·41% versus 9·58% ± 2·43%, P < 0·05) and CD4+CD25hi T cells (1·32% ± 0·68% versus 1·70% ± 0·68%, P < 0·01) than control subjects. Numbers of CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25hi T lymphocytes were higher in children with persistent allergic rhinitis and/or moderate–severe bronchial asthma than in those with respective milder disease. The number of Treg cells was correlated positively with total immunoglobulin E level. The mRNA expression of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) was increased in moderate–severe versus mild asthma (2·93 ± 0·38 versus 1·60 ± 0·31, P < 0·01). Patients with moderate–severe bronchial asthma also had increased mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-10 compared with patients with mild asthma (15·24 ± 4·07 versus 3·77 ± 2·18, P < 0·01). The suppressive function of Treg cells from patients with more severe asthma was competent in vitro. On average, decreased numbers of Treg cells in children with allergic airway disease might represent a defect of the Treg population. With increased expression of FoxP3 and IL-10 in Treg from patients with relatively severe allergic disease, adaptive and functional Treg might be generated in response to aggravated atopy and disease severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, sera from children with active Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) have been found to enhance interleukin (IL)-8 production by human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVEC). To further determine the possible factor with the ability to enhance endothelial IL-8 production in sera from acute stage of HSP, 10 children with HSP at the acute stage and 10 healthy controls were enrolled. IgA antiendothelial cell antibodies (AECA) were detected by cell-based ELISA. Active sera with or without pretreatment with anti-human IgA antibody, sera of controls, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) derived from sera were used to stimulate the HUVEC. The ability of these factors to enhance endothelial IL-8 production was evaluated. Furthermore, signalling pathways were also assayed by different inhibitors, and confirmed by immunoblotting. Serum levels of IgA AECA in HPS patients at the acute stage were significantly higher than in controls ( P < 0·001). The active sera could enhance endothelial IL-8 production ( P = 0·004, compared with control sera), and the ability of these sera was mostly abolished when pretreated with fixed anti-human IgA antibody. The supernatant IL-8 levels of endothelial cells stimulated by IgA derived from acute stage of HSP were statistically higher than controls ( P < 0·001). PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK phosphorylation, significantly reduced IgA AECA-stimulated endothelial IL-8. IgA AECA also enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK1 with a time-dependent manner. Together with these findings, it is concluded that IgA AECA derived from acute stage of HSP may bind to endothelial and enhance endothelial cells to produce IL-8 via MEK/REK signalling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a small vessel vasculitis characterized by increased serum IgA and IgA-dominant immune complex deposition in lesions. The involvement of IgA implies a probable role for TGF-β, a major factor in IgA production, in the pathogenesis of HSP. Among IgA antibodies, serum IgA anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) have been found in many diseases, including vasculitis. In addition to the clinical presentations and laboratory parameters, we further investigated the roles of IgA aCL and TGF-β in childhood HSP. Twenty-six Chinese children with the diagnosis of HSP were enrolled. Blood samples from these patients were collected at both acute and convalescent stages. Intracellular staining of lymphocytes was performed to enumerate type 1 (interferon-gamma-secreting), type 2 (IL-4-secreting), and type 3 (TGF-β-secreting) helper T cells. Serum levels of TGF-β were detected by ELISA. Serum IgA aCL of 21 of 26 patients at the acute stage, 11 of them at the convalescent stage, were measured by ELISA. The data showed that IgA aCL serum levels were significantly elevated in patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0·001), and those patients at the convalescent stage (P < 0·001). In addition, TGF-β-secreting T cells were significantly elevated during the acute stage, and decreased at the convalescent stage. Although more studies are needed, the high prevalence of IgA aCL and increased TGF-β-secreting T cells in children with acute HSP revealed some points which should permit a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Return to work is an important outcome following traumatic work-related hand injuries. It is unclear how psychosocial factors affect the time to return to work following traumatic work-related hand injury.Aims To investigate the relationships between hand injury severity, self-perceived health, demographics and time off work (TOW) following traumatic work-related hand injuries and the influence of psychosocial factors on the readiness of return to work.Methods Data from 120 traumatic work-related hand injured patients were gathered. The Modified Hand Injury Severity Score (MHISS) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to assess the severity of hand trauma and self-perceived health, respectively. The relationships between MHISS, SF-36, demographics and TOW were analysed by multiple regression analysis.Results Mean duration of TOW was 127 days for patients with a mild MHISS, 108 days for a moderate score, 160 days for a severe score and 236 days for those with a major score. A positive correlation between MHISS and duration of TOW was identified. Self-perceived physical functioning was found to have a negative correlation with TOW, whereas self-perceived mental health was positively correlated with TOW.Conclusions This study highlights the importance of self-perceived health in considering return to work following traumatic work-related hand injury. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In order to efficiently prevent and treat bovine mastitis and minimize its impact on dairy industry in Taiwan, a sensitive, rapid, and specific test is required for identifying the mastitis-causing pathogens. In the present study, a biochip was developed in collaboration with DR. Chip Biotechnology Inc. in Taiwan. The biochip is capable of detecting 6 common species of mastitis-causing pathogens within 6 hours, including Streptococcus bovis, Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The technique is based on DNA amplification of genes specific to the target pathogens and consists of 4 basic steps: DNA extraction of bacteria, PCR reaction, DNA hybridization, colorimetric reaction. The sensitivity and accuracy of this Biochip, in comparison with conventional culture method, were verified by analyzing serial diluted fresh whole milk that were separately inoculated with the 6 species of bacteria that mentioned previously. The Biochip had a lower detecting limit and showed results that have a similar trend to those from the conventional method. Thereafter, the Biochip was used for detecting bacteria in bulk tank milk samples from 207 DHI-participating dairy farms in 2004. The results show that only 6 (3%) farms were negative on all 6 species of pathogens monitored. Streptococcus bovis, detected in samples from 161 (79.7%) farms, was the most prevalent species, followed by Streptococcus uberis (n=123, 60.9%), Escherichia coli (n=92, 45.5%), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (n=62, 30.7%), Streptococcus agalactiae (n=55, 27.2%), and Staphylococcus aureus (n=19, 9.4%). Results from this study reveal that the biochip is a feasible tool for a rapid diagnose of mastitis-causing pathogens in milk, which might prevent and cure mastitis more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) have been found to play an important role in many vascular disorders. In order to determine the presence of AECA in children with Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP), and to elucidate the pathogenic and clinical value of their measurement in this disease, AECA were detected by immunofluorescence staining and a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 20 children with HSP, 10 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) without vasculitis and 10 normal healthy children. Antibodies against another endothelial cells, human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-d) were also detected by cell-based ELISA. In some experiments, we compared the binding activity of antibodies to HUVEC with and without tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α ) or interleukin-1 (IL-1) pretreatment. Patients with acute onset of HSP had higher serum levels of IgA antibodies, both against HUVEC and against HMVEC-d, than healthy controls (P = 0·001, P = 0·008, respectively). Forty-five per cent of patients had positive IgA AECA to HUVEC, and 35% had positive IgA AECA to HMVEC-d. The titres of IgA antibodies to HUVEC paralleled the disease activity. After TNF-α treatment, the values of IgA AECA to HUVEC in HSP patients were significantly increased (P = 0·02). For IgG and IgM AECA, there was no difference between HSP patients and controls (P = 0·51, P = 0·91). Ten JRA children without vasculitis had no detectable IgG, IgM or IgA AECA activity. The results of this study showed that children with HSP had IgA AECA, which were enhanced by TNF-α treatment. Although the role of these antibodies is not clear, IgA AECA provide another immunological clue for the understanding of HSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]