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Objective Thyroid nodule ultrasound characteristics are used as an indication for fine-needle aspiration cytology, usually as the basis for Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) score calculation. Few studies on interobserver variation are available, all of which are based on analysis of preselected still ultrasound images and often lack surgical confirmation. Methods After the blinded online evaluation of video recordings of the ultrasound examinations of 47 consecutive malignant and 76 consecutive benign thyroid lesions, 7 experts from 7 thyroid centers answered 17 TIRADS-related questions. Surgical histology was the reference standard. Interobserver variations of each ultrasound characteristic were compared using Gwet’s AC1 inter-rater coefficients; higher values mean better concordance, the maximum being 1.0. Results On a scale from 0.0 to 1.0, the Gwet’s AC1 values were 0.34, 0.53, 0.72, and 0.79 for the four most important features in decision-making, i.e. irregular margins, microcalcifications, echogenicity, and extrathyroidal extension, respectively. The concordance in the discrimination between mildly/moderately and very hypoechogenic nodules was 0.17. The smaller the nodule size the better the agreement in echogenicity, and the larger the nodule size the better the agreement on the presence of microcalcifications. Extrathyroidal extension was correctly identified in just 45.8% of the cases. Conclusions Examination of video recordings, closely simulating the real-world situation, revealed substantial interobserver variation in the interpretation of each of the four most important ultrasound characteristics. In view of the importance for the management of thyroid nodules, unambiguous and widely accepted definitions of each nodule characteristic are warranted, although it remains to be investigated whether this diminishes observer variation.

Rates of nucleotide substitution vary substantially across the Tree of Life, with potentially confounding effects on phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses. A large acceleration in mitochondrial substitution rate occurs in the cockroach family Nocticolidae, which predominantly inhabit subterranean environments. To evaluate the impacts of this among-lineage rate heterogeneity on estimates of phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary timescales, we analysed nuclear ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and mitochondrial genomes from nocticolids and other cockroaches. Substitution rates were substantially elevated in nocticolid lineages compared with other cockroaches, especially in mitochondrial protein-coding genes. This disparity in evolutionary rates is likely to have led to different evolutionary relationships being supported by mitochondrial genomes and UCE loci. Furthermore, analyses using relaxed-clock models inferred much deeper divergence times compared with a flexible local clock. Our phylogenetic analysis of UCEs, which is the first genome-scale study to include all nine major cockroach families, unites Corydiidae and Nocticolidae and places Anaplectidae as the sister lineage to the rest of Blattoidea. We uncover an extraordinary level of genetic divergence in Nocticolidae, including two highly distinct clades that separated ∼115 million years ago despite both containing representatives of the genusNocticola. The results of our study highlight the potential impacts of high among-lineage rate variation on estimates of phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary timescales.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most prevalent inherited cardiac disease in humans and cats and lacks efficacious pharmacologic interventions in the preclinical phase of disease. LV outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is commonly observed in HCM-affected patients and is a primary driver of heart failure symptoms and reduced quality of life. Novel small-molecule cardiac myosin inhibitors target actin-myosin interactions to alleviate overactive protein interactions. A prospective, randomized, controlled cross-over study was performed to evaluate pharmacodynamic effects of two doses (0.3 and 1 mg/kg) of a next-in-class cardiac myosin inhibitor, aficamten (CK-3773274, CK-274), on cardiac function in cats with the A31P MYBPC3 mutation and oHCM. Dose-dependent reductions in LV systolic function, LVOT pressure gradient, and isovolumetric relaxation times compared to baseline were observed. Promising beneficial effects of reduced systolic function warrant further studies of this next-in-class therapeutic to evaluate the benefit of long-term administration in this patient population.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most prevalent cardiac disease in cats and lacks efficacious preclinical pharmacologic intervention, prompting investigation of novel therapies. Genetic mutations encoding sarcomeric proteins are implicated in the development of HCM and small molecule myosin inhibitors are an emerging class of therapeutics designed to target the interaction of actin and myosin to alleviate the detrimental effects of inappropriate contractile protein interactions. The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacodynamic effects of a single oral dose of the novel cardiac myosin inhibitor aficamten (CK-274) on cardiac function in purpose bred cats with naturally occurring A31P MYBPC3 mutation and a clinical diagnosis of HCM with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). Five purpose bred cats were treated with aficamten (2 mg/kg) or vehicle and echocardiographic evaluations were performed at 0, 6, 24, and 48 h post-dosing. High dose aficamten (2 mg/kg) reduced left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS%) by increasing the LV systolic internal dimension (LVIDs) and reduced isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) compared with baseline without significant adverse effects. The marked reduction in systolic function and reduced IVRT coupled with an increased heart rate in treated cats, suggest a lower dose may be optimal. Further studies to determine optimal dosing of aficamten are indicated.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most prevalent inherited cardiac disease in humans and cats and lacks efficacious pharmacologic interventions in the preclinical phase of disease. LV outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is commonly observed in HCM-affected patients and is a primary driver of heart failure symptoms and reduced quality of life. Novel small-molecule cardiac myosin inhibitors target actin-myosin interactions to alleviate overactive protein interactions. A prospective, randomized, controlled cross-over study was performed to evaluate pharmacodynamic effects of two doses (0.3 and 1 mg/kg) of a next-in-class cardiac myosin inhibitor, aficamten (CK-3773274, CK-274), on cardiac function in cats with the A31P MYBPC3 mutation and oHCM. Dose-dependent reductions in LV systolic function, LVOT pressure gradient, and isovolumetric relaxation times compared to baseline were observed. Promising beneficial effects of reduced systolic function warrant further studies of this next-in-class therapeutic to evaluate the benefit of long-term administration in this patient population.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Rapid Antigen Detection Testing (RADT) has been subjected to several evaluations in reference to diagnostic accuracy, ranging from small scale up to large population studies including nation-wide community-based studies. All confirmed the diagnostic accuracy of the tests which were strongly dependent upon the infection's population prevalence. In our retrospective study, parallel SARS-CoV-2 Panbio™ RADT assay, including real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests, were aimed to evaluate diagnostic performance regarding the rapid antigen diagnostic testing. Out of 4,440 paired tests, 609 samples tested positive using RT-qPCR, resulting in a prevalence of 13.7%. Panbio detected 251 (5.7%) positive tested samples. Overall sensitivity was 41.2% (95% CI 37.4–45.2%) and overall specificity was 99.7% (95% CI 99.4–99.8%). Positive predictive value (PPV) was 95.1% (95% CI 91.8–97.1%) and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 91.4% (95% CI 90.5–92.2%). RADT sensitivity increased with stratification in reference to the results according to PCR Cycle threshold (Ct) and presence of the symptoms considerably influenced PPV and NPV. Sensitivity in the group of Ct values ≤ 20 was 91.2%, 68.6% within the Ct range of 20–25, 47.9% in the group of Ct values between 25 and 30, and 12.6% in the group of Ct values between 30 and 35. A follow-up of the positive cases aligned with RT-qPCR testing and comparison of the general population enrolled in the testing in which the fatal cases occurred enabled us to estimate real clinical diagnostic performance regarding the SARS-CoV-2 Panbio RADT. Based upon our results, we recommend the SARS-CoV-2 Panbio RADT tests be carried out as the primary test, without parallel PCR testing, only among high population prevalence rates of the infection and to be used for symptomatic individuals with average or low severe disease developmental risk. In the case of high risk regarding the development of severe infection complications, a parallel SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR is needed to be carried out to attain proper diagnostic accuracy and avoid delaying appropriate medical care.

Cardiac malformations are sporadically diagnosed in domestic species; however, little literature is available for this group of developmental anomalies in goats. We performed a retrospective study to catalog congenital cardiac conditions in goats submitted to the University of California–Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Anatomic Pathology Autopsy Service. From 2000 to 2021, of 1,886 goat autopsies, 29 cases of cardiac malformations were identified (1.5%). Thirteen were ≤ 2-wk-old, 8 were 1–6-mo-old, and 8 were adults 2–9-y-old. The most common malformations were ventricular septal defect (VSD; 21 of 29), atrial septal defect or persistent foramen ovale (10 of 29), and double-outlet right ventricle (3 of 29). Nine cases had > 1 malformation, typically including a VSD. Conditions that had not been reported in the goat included double-outlet right ventricle (3), tetralogy of Fallot (1), cor triatriatum sinister (1), and mitral valve dysplasia (1). Two adult cases were incidental and not suspected clinically. Cardiac malformations occur not uncommonly in goats and should be considered in a wide age range.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are chronic multisystem inflammatory disorders that present with articular and extra-articular features. Cardiac dysfunction and pulmonary disease are well-known and commonly reported extra-articular manifestations of AS and PsA. The inflammatory process can induce respiratory complications, including chest wall restriction, significantly impacting patients" cardiorespiratory status. We aimed to assess pulmonary circulation and right ventricle behaviour during exercise in patients with AS and PsA and to detect the possible effect of chest wall restriction on right heart function. Methods A total of 45 spondylarthritis patients were enrolled in the study (age 51.5 ± 12.3 years, 82.2% men): 27 of them were diagnosed with AS (20 of them had ankylosis at the time of the study), while 18 had PsA (2 of them in ankylosis). According to a standardized protocol, all subjects underwent resting and exercise stress echocardiography on a semi-recumbent cycle ergometer with an incremental workload up to the maximal tolerated workload. Basic echocardiographic measurements were taken, focusing on the right and left ventricular functions and the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PASP) at rest, at 50 watts workload, and maximal exercise. During the examination, non-invasive blood pressure measurements, transcutaneous capillary oxygen saturation and continuous ECG recording were performed. Results PASP did not differ between the AS and PsA patients at rest (15.6 ± 6.7 mmHg vs 13.7 ± 8.3 mmHg; p = ns); however, PASP measured at the maximal workload was significantly higher among AS patients (31.4 ± 15.9mmHg vs 21.6 ± 12.7mmHg; p Conclusion Exercise stress echocardiography is a promising diagnostic modality in autoimmune diseases. In AS patients, the chest wall restriction may results in elevation of PASP during the exercise. The noninvasive indice of left ventricular filling pressure increases significantly in patients with ankylosis in both groups, explaining the effect of the rigid chest wall on the left ventricular filling. Abstract Figure. Abstract Figure.

Background Investigator-initiated clinical studies (IITs) are crucial to generate reliable evidence that answers questions of day-to-day clinical practice. Many challenges make IITs a complex endeavour, for example, IITs often need to be multinational in order to recruit a sufficient number of patients. Recent studies highlighted that well-trained study personnel are a major factor to conduct such complex IITs successfully. As of today, however, no overview of the European training activities, requirements and career options for clinical study personnel exists. Methods To fill this knowledge gap, a survey was performed in all 11 member and observer countries of the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN), using a standardised questionnaire. Three rounds of data collection were performed to maximize completeness and comparability of the received answers. The survey aimed to describe the landscape of academic training opportunities, to facilitate the exchange of expertise and experience among countries and to identify new fields of action. Results The survey found that training for Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and investigator training is offered in all but one country. A specific training for study nurses or study coordinators is also either provided or planned in ten out of eleven countries. A majority of countries train in monitoring and clinical pharmacovigilance and offer specific training for principal investigators but only few countries also train operators of clinical research organisations (CRO) or provide training for methodology and quality management systems (QMS). Minimal requirements for study-specific functions cover GCP in ten countries. Only three countries issued no requirements or recommendations regarding the continuous training of study personnel. Yet, only four countries developed a national strategy for training in clinical research and the career options for clinical researchers are still limited in the majority of countries. Conclusions There is a substantial and impressive investment in training and education of clinical research in the individual ECRIN countries. But so far, a systematic approach for (top-down) strategic and overarching considerations and cross-network exchange is missing. Exchange of available curricula and sets of core competencies between countries could be a starting point for improving the situation. Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

As the population of the world continues to grow and living standards continue to improve, we must find an adequate solution for housing issues. The first part of this paper tries to shed more light on the drawbacks and the past anomalies of the world mortgage market. We observe different continents and try to point out the main causes behind the bottlenecks of mortgage markets. The reasons vary across countries but some similarities emerge, such as that in the initial period repayment places a huge financial burden on households.

Dieser Beitrag untersucht das originäre Denken Klemens von Alexandriens (ca. 150 - ca. 215), eines frühen Interpreten der gesamten Bibel und Wegbereiter der philosophischen Interpretation des Evangeliums. Er behandelt zunächst Klemens Leben, Werk und Kontext in Alexandria und betrachtet anschließend seine Antworten auf die folgenden Fragen: (1) Was ist der Sinn des menschlichen Lebens? (2) Wer ist Gott und wie kann er erkannt werden? (3) Was ist Gottes Gesamtplan für die Erlösung des Menschen? (4) Wie soll der Christ zur Vollkommenheit und ewigen Betrachtung Gottes vorankommen? Klemens war ein optimistischer und aufgeschlossener Wahrheitssuchender in einer Zeit, in der die christliche Religion gerade erst Gestalt annahm. Er war der Ansicht, dass die Erkenntnis Gottes und die Liebe zu ihm der Grund des Seins des menschlichen Lebens sei und dass Gottes Heilsplan ein komplexes System der Erziehung und Vollkommenheit beinhalte. Dieser schließe auch Christus, das göttlichen Wort, den ultimativen Lehrer, ein. Seine biblische Exegese und Theologie hinterließen ein wichtiges Vermächtnis bei späteren Theologen, insbesondere im griechischsprachigen Osten.

The Hardy-Weinberg principle and associated calculations are often challenging for students to learn for three reasons. First, several assumptions need to be understood to correctly apply the principle. Second, a series of calculations are required for proper application. Third, the principle, assumptions, and calculations are often taught separately from students observing population changes over time. We describe a classroom activity in which students investigate how the allele frequencies of soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria) populations change over time as a result of environmental disturbances by simulating the effects on population data. These classroom population changes are then compared to authentic research data collected on populations of M. arenaria. This activity was implemented at three institutions in introductory- and senior-level biology courses. Students reported that the activity helped them better understand and apply both the principle and its calculations.

Guidelines recommend adults with pituitary disease in whom GH therapy is contemplated, to be tested for GH deficiency (AGHD); however, clinical practice is not uniform. Aims (1) To record current practice of AGHD management throughout Europe and benchmark it against guidelines; (2) To evaluate educational status of healthcare professionals about AGHD. Design Online survey in endocrine centres throughout Europe. Patients and methods Endocrinologists voluntarily completed an electronic questionnaire regarding AGHD patients diagnosed or treated in 2017–2018. Results Twenty-eight centres from 17 European countries participated, including 2139 AGHD patients, 28% of childhood-onset GHD. Aetiology was most frequently non-functioning pituitary adenoma (26%), craniopharyngioma (13%) and genetic/congenital midline malformations (13%). Diagnosis of GHD was confirmed by a stimulation test in 52% (GHRH+arginine: 45%; insulin-tolerance: 42%, glucagon: 6%; GHRH alone and clonidine tests: 7%); in the remaining, ≥3 pituitary deficiencies and low serum IGF-I were diagnostic. Initial GH dose was lower in older patients, but only women Conclusion Despite guideline recommendations, GH replacement in AGHD is still not available or reimbursed in all European countries. Knowledge among professionals and health administrators needs improvement to optimise the care of adults with GHD.

In a colony of rhesus macaques at California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC), naturally occurring hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) classified by left ventricular hypertrophy without obvious underlying diseases has been identified during necropsy over the last two decades. A preliminary pedigree analysis suggested a strong genetic predisposition of this disease with a founder effect. However, the mode of inheritance was undetermined due to insufficient pedigree data. Since 2015, antemortem examination using echocardiographic examination as well as other cardiovascular analyses have been performed on large numbers of rhesus macaques at the colony. Based on antemortem examination, HCM was diagnosed in additional 65 rhesus macaques. Using HCM cases diagnosed based on antemortem and postmortem examinations, the heritability (h2) was estimated to determine the degree of genetic and environmental contributions to the development of HCM in rhesus macaques at the CNPRC. The calculated mean and median heritability (h2) of HCM in this colony of rhesus macaques were 0.5 and 0.51 (95% confidence interval; 0.14–0.82), respectively. This suggests genetics influence development of HCM in the colony of rhesus macaques. However, post-translational modifications and environmental factors are also likely to contribute the variability of phenotypic expression. Based on the pedigree analysis, an autosomal recessive trait was suspected, but an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with incomplete penetrance was also possible. Further investigation with more data from siblings, offspring, and parents of HCM-affected rhesus macaques are warranted. Importantly, the findings of the present study support conducting genetic investigations such as whole genome sequencing to identify the causative variants of inherited HCM in rhesus macaques.

In this study, the activity of acetic acid esters modified with electron withdrawing 2-alkoxy-groups was investigated as acylating agent in kinetic resolution (KR) of racemic amines. A homologous series of the isopropyl esters of four 2-alkoxyacetic acids (2-methoxy-, 2-ethoxy-, 2-propoxy- and 2-butoxyacetic acids) were prepared and investigated for enantiomer selective N-acylation, catalyzed by lipase B from Candida antarctica, under batch and continuous-flow conditions. In the first set of experiments, isopropyl 2-propoxyacetate showed the highest effectivity with all of the four racemic amines [(±)-1-phenylethylamine, (±)-4-phenylbutan-2-amine, (±)-heptan-2-amine and (±)-1-methoxypropane-2-amine] in the set enabling excellent conversions (≥46%) and enantiomeric excess values (ee ≥ 99%) with each amines in continuous-flow mode KRs under the optimized reaction conditions. In a second set of experiments, KRs of five additional amines – being substituted derivatives of (±)-1-phenylethylamine – further demonstrated the usefulness of isopropyl 2-propoxyacetate – being the best acylating agent in the first set of KRs – in KRs leading to (R)-N-propoxyacetamides with high ee values (≥99.8%).

We adopted Facebook as part of a large enrollment science discussion class in a bid to exploit students’ time on this social networking site and tested the effectiveness of this “co-option” strateg...

Background Defensive symbionts can provide significant fitness advantages to their hosts. Facultative symbionts can protect several species of aphid from fungal pathogens, heat shock, and parasitism by parasitoid wasps. Previous work found that two of these facultative symbionts can also indirectly protect pea aphids from predation by the lady beetle Hippocampus convergens. When aphids reproduce asexually, there is extremely high relatedness among aphid clone-mates and often very limited dispersal. Under these conditions, symbionts may indirectly protect aphid clone-mates from predation by negatively affecting the survival of a predator after the consumption of aphids harboring the same vertically transmitted facultative symbionts. In this study, we wanted to determine whether this indirect protection extended to another lady beetle species, Harmonia axyridis. Results We fed Ha. axyridis larvae aphids from one of four aphid sub-clonal symbiont lines which all originated from the same naturally symbiont free clonal aphid lineage. Three of the sub-clonal lines harbor different facultative symbionts that were introduced to the lines via microinjection. Therefore these sub-clonal lineages vary primarily in their symbiont composition, not their genetic background. We found that aphid facultative symbionts affected larval survival as well as pupal survival in their predator Ha. axyridis. Additionally, Ha. axyridis larvae fed aphids with the Regiella symbiont had significantly longer larval developmental times than beetle larvae fed other aphids, and females fed aphids with the Regiella symbiont as larvae weighed less as adults. These fitness effects were different from those previously found in another aphid predator Hi. convergens suggesting that the fitness effects may not be the same in different aphid predators. Conclusions Overall, our findings suggest that some aphid symbionts may indirectly benefit their clonal aphid hosts by negatively impacting the development and survival of a lady beetle aphid predator Ha. axyridis. By directly affecting the survival of predatory lady beetles, aphid facultative symbionts may increase the survival of their clone-mates that are clustered nearby and have significant impacts across multiple trophic levels. We have now found evidence for multiple aphid facultative symbionts negatively impacting the survival of a second species of aphid predatory lady beetle. These same symbionts also protect their hosts from parasitism and fungal infections, though these fitness effects seem to depend on the aphid species, predator or parasitoid species, and symbiont type. This work further demonstrates that beneficial mutualisms depend upon complex interactions between a variety of players and should be studied in multiple ecologically relevant contexts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12898-017-0136-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

This case study reports the instructional development, impact, and lessons learned regarding the use of Facebook as an educational tool within a large enrollment Biology class at Spelman College (Atlanta, GA). We describe the use of this social networking site to (a) engage students in active scientific discussions, (b) build community within the student body in class, and (c) promote communication between students and instructors. To achieve this, we created a Facebook Group page that students were required to join and use to complete the main assignment of this class, which was to read, discuss, and write about a science news article in the popular media. Overall, we find that Facebook, due to its popularity with students and its informal nature, is very effective in engaging them.

This chapter discusses the interpretation of the letters of the Apostle Paul and his extensive legacy in the patristic period. The first two sections consider his importance during his lifetime, his focus on the ‘word of the cross’, the collection of his letters, the patristic corpus of thirteen or fourteen Pauline letters, and controversies surrounding his teaching, including debates about Christology and marriage. The rest of the chapter sketches out four different portraits of Paul, with attention to particular passages in his letters that inspired them. Paul is pictured as: guide on the road to perfection (Origen), champion of free will (Pelagius), herald of salvation by divine grace alone (Augustine), and embodiment of all virtue (John Chrysostom). Patristic exegetes engage not only with Paul’s theology but also with the person of the ‘divine Apostle’, and they understand exegesis of his letters as a process that involves the whole self of the interpreter.

The paper addresses some problems of Digital Production and of Lice-Cycle Management. Some definitions and different ways to reach Digital Manufacturing will be discussed, mostly by means of lists of hardware and software components (and knowledge), which are necessary to build up digital factories. Some advantages and possibilities provided by digital manufacifturing are outlined. As one of the most interesting issues Product Life-Cycle Management will be discussed in more details, as a Production philosophy.

BACKGROUND Several studies have been conducted evaluating psychological effects following aesthetic surgery, however few of them following blepharoplasty! PURPOSE To determine whether blepharoplasty affects quality of life and satisfaction as well as, emotional stability and self-esteem in patients who underwent only blepharoplasty. DESIGN A retrospective study including transdermal blepharoplasty operations between the years 1995 and 2008. METHODS A self-developed and indication-specific questionnaire especially for blepharoplasty, as well as the standardized testing instruments FLZM, FPI-R, and RSES, concerning quality of life, body image, personality, and self-esteem was utilized. PARTICIPANTS A total of 123 patients were included in the study. Forty-six patients participated in the study. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Results were compared with the existing representative norm data from the German speaking countries. RESULTS In the indication-specific questionnaire, 44 patients reported a positive influence on their personal wellbeing, and 33 were more satisfied with their appearance (follow-up 3-95 months; average 48.5 months); 20 felt more self-confident, and 25 felt more attractive.Statistically significant increased values in quality of life (FLZM) were found in the aspects work (P = 0.02), mobility (P

Rationale & Objective Clinical practice guidelines for dietary intake in hemodialysis focus on individual nutrients. Little is known about associations of dietary patterns with survival. We evaluated the associations of dietary patterns with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality among adults treated by hemodialysis. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Setting & Participants 8,110 of 9,757 consecutive adults on hemodialysis (January 2014 to June 2017) treated in a multinational private dialysis network and with analyzable dietary data. Exposures Data-driven dietary patterns based on the GA2LEN food frequency questionnaire. Participants received a score for each identified pattern, with higher scores indicating closer resemblance of their diet to the identified pattern. Quartiles of standardized pattern scores were used as primary exposures. Outcomes Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Analytical Approach Principal components analysis with varimax rotation to identify common dietary patterns. Adjusted proportional hazards regression analyses with country as a random effect to estimate the associations between dietary pattern scores and mortality. Associations were expressed as adjusted HRs with 95% CIs, using the lowest quartile score as reference. Results During a median follow-up of 2.7 years (18,666 person-years), there were 2,087 deaths (958 cardiovascular). 2 dietary patterns, “fruit and vegetable” and “Western,” were identified. For the fruit and vegetable dietary pattern score, adjusted HRs, in ascending quartiles, were 0.94 (95% CI, 0.76-1.15), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.66-1.06), and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.69-1.21) for cardiovascular mortality and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.83-1.09), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.71-0.99), and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.72-1.05) for all-cause mortality. For the Western dietary pattern score, the corresponding estimates were 1.10 (95% CI, 0.90-1.35), 1.11 (95% CI, 0.87-1.41), and 1.09 (95% CI, 0.80-1.49) for cardiovascular mortality and 1.01 (95% CI, 0.88-1.16), 1.00 (95% CI, 0.85-1.18), and 1.14 (95% CI, 0.93-1.41) for all-cause mortality. Limitations Self-reported food frequency questionnaire, data-driven approach. Conclusions These findings did not confirm an association between mortality among patients receiving long-term hemodialysis and the extent to which dietary patterns were either high in fruit and vegetables or consistent with a Western diet.

In this study Br, Ca, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Na, S and Zn levels in blood samples of cyclists were investigated using neutron activation analysis technique. The results were compared to individuals of the same age and gender, but not involved with physical activities (control group), which showed considerable differences. A decrease mainly in Br (91 %) and Ca (78 %) and an increase in Fe (26 %), S (82 %) and Zn (22 %) levels were evidenced. These results emphasize the importance of blood monitoring for the maintenance of endurance athletes performance, particularly for Br, Ca and S.

Dendrimers are synthetic nanomolecules with well-defined chemical structures. Different strategies have been used for radiolabeling dendrimers with different radioisotopes. In this study, the aim was to conjugate dendrimers with (177)Lu, to observe the in vivo behavior of the labeled compound and to measure the elementary changes in tumor tissue that could be caused by ionizing radiation. PAMAM G4 dendrimers conjugated with DOTA were labeled with (177)Lu. The radiolabeled compound was characterized and its stability was evaluated by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. Radiolabeling yield was >98% and stable for 24 hours. Biodistribution studies of (177)Lu-DOTA-dendrimers in C57BL/6 melanoma-bearing mice showed blood clearance with hepatic and renal depuration and tumor uptake. The concentrations of Br, Ca, Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Rb, S, and Zn were determined in tumor tissues of C57BL/6 mice treated with (177)Lu-DOTA-dendrimers and in untreated mice. The results showed decreased concentrations of Br (62%), Ca (24%), Cl (51%), K (12%) and Na (60%) and increased concentrations of Fe (8%), Mg (28%), Rb (100%), S (6%) and Zn (4%) in tumor tissues of mice treated with (177)Lu-DOTA-dendrimers. These data may be useful to evaluate changes in tumor tissues as indicators of damage that could be caused by ionizing radiation.

Objective: To observe how a short vigorous exercise influences certain coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters in sportsmen and sportswomen.Design: Pre-post parallel-groups.Setting: Heart Centre and Department of Laboratory of Medicine, University Pecs, H-7623, HungaryParticipants: A total of 31 healthy individuals (mean age [+SD] 35 + 8 years; 18 males, 13 female), participated in the study at the Heart Centre of the University of Pecs. Participants were active and well-trained active sportsmen (and women) continuously involved in competitive sports activities (basketball, handball or water polo) for at least 10 years.Main Outcome Measures: All participants performed an exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Venous blood samples were obtained for rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM).Results: In the case of sportsmen significant differences were obtained related to physical exercise in certain nonactivated thrombelastometry (NATEM) measurements. After exercise, the mean clotting time (CT) was shorter (329.3 ± 85.3 vs. 276.7 ± 91.7 seconds, P=0.041) and the maximum clot firmness (MCF) was broader (53.7 ± 4. vs. 60.4 ± 13.7 mm, P=0.034) than before exercise. In sportswomen mean CT was shorter (292.9 ± 65.2 vs. 247.8 ± 105.9 seconds, P=0.04), and the MCF was broader after exercise (59.0 ± 4.1 vs. 65.2 ± 9.7 mm, P=0.04) by NATEM measurements.Conclusions: A tendency for a post-exercise hypercoagulation state following a short-term strenuous exercise has been documented.

Our study group has researched for >10 years in the field of Quality of Life after plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgery, asking the following questions: “Does aesthetic surgery improve the Quality of Life?” and “Can a higher Quality of Life offset the risk of surgical procedures.” As part of our series of studies examining the correlation of cosmetic surgery and the postoperative well-being, this study examines the influence of rhinoplasty, as a single indication, specifically on the Quality of Life (QoL) of patients. The data of 90 patients who underwent rhinoplasty between 1997 and 2007 were prospectively collected and were retrospectively analyzed. For a competitive analysis, our evaluation was divided into the following five parts: a self-developed indication-specific questionnaire and the standardized instruments Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), Questions on Life SatisfactionModules (FLZM), Freiburg Personality Inventory (FPI-R), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire (RSES). Numerous improvements in patients' QoL were observed. The result of the GBI (17.19) based on a scale –100 to 100 indicates an improved QoL after rhinoplasty. Significant improvements in the item relationship/sexuality were shown in the general part of the FLZM (p = 0.042). The average score (6.32) on a scale of 0 to 14 in the FPI-R questionnaire resulted in a common emotionality and self-assessment, while the RSES (33.64) on a scale 10 to 40 indicated a high self-confidence and a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.0001) compared with German norm data. The knowledge of positive social and psychological benefits and an improved sexuality in the partnership support the meaningfulness of rhinoplasty.

Heritable symbionts have been found to mediate interactions between host species and their natural enemies in a variety of organisms. Aphids, their facultative symbionts, and their potential fitness effects have been particularly well-studied. For example, the aphid facultative symbiont Regiella can protect its host from infection from a fungal pathogen, and aphids with Hamiltonella are less likely to be parasitized by parasitic wasps. Recent work has also found there to be negative fitness effects for the larvae of two species of aphidophagous lady beetles that consumed aphids with facultative symbionts. In both species, larvae that consumed aphids with secondary symbionts were significantly less likely to survive to adulthood. In this study we tested whether adult Harmonia axyridis and Hippodamia convergens lady beetles avoided aphids with symbionts in a series of choice experiments. Adults of both lady beetle species were as likely to choose aphids with symbionts as those without, despite the potential negative fitness effects associated with consuming aphids with facultative symbionts. This may suggest that under natural conditions aphid secondary symbionts are not a significant source of selection for predatory lady beetles.

Fossil bones are often the only materials available for chronological reconstruction of important archeological sites. However, since bone is an open system for uranium, it cannot be dated directly and therefore it is necessary to develop models for the U uptake. Hence, a radial diffusion–adsorption (RDA) model is described. Unlike the classic diffusion–adsorption (D–A) model, RDA uses a cylindrical geometry to describe the U uptake in fossil bones. The model was applied across a transverse section of a tibia of an extinct megamammal Macrauchenia patachonica from the La Paz Local Fauna, Montevideo State, Uruguay. Measurements of spatial distribution of Na, K, Ca, and Mg were also performed by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Gamma-ray spectrometric U-series dating was applied to determine the age of the bone sample. From U concentration profile, it was possible to observe the occurrence of a relatively slow and continuous uranium uptake under constant conditions that had not yet reached equilibrium, since the uranium distribution is a ∪-shaped closed-system. Predictions of the RDA model were obtained for a specific geochemical scenario, indicating that the effective diffusion coefficient D/R in this fossil bone is (2.4 ± 0.6)10−12 cm2s−1. Mean values of Na, K, Ca, and Mg contents along the radial line of the fossil tibia are consistent with the expected behavior for spatial distributions of these mineral elements across a modern bone section. This result indicates that the fossil tibia may have its mineral structure preserved. Fil: Cid, A. S.. Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Física. Laboratorio de Radioecologia e Alteraçoes Ambientais; Brasil Fil: Anjos, R. M.. Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Física. Laboratorio de Radioecologia e Alteraçoes Ambientais; Brasil Fil: Zamboni, C. B.. Centro do Reator de Pesquisa. Instituto de Pesquisas Energ eticas e Nucleares; Brasil Fil: Cardoso, R.. Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Física. Laboratorio de Radioecologia e Alteraçoes Ambientais; Brasil Fil: Muniz, M.. Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Física. Laboratorio de Radioecologia e Alteraçoes Ambientais; Brasil Fil: Corona, A.. Universidad de la Republica. Facultad de Química y Facultad de Ciencias; Uruguay Fil: Valladares, Diego Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis; Argentina Fil: Kovacs, L.. Centro do Reator de Pesquisa. Instituto de Pesquisas Energ eticas e Nucleares; Brasil Fil: Macario, K. . Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Física. Laboratorio de Radioecologia e Alteraçoes Ambientais; Brasil Fil: Perea, D.. Universidad de la Republica. Facultad de Química y Facultad de Ciencias; Uruguay Fil: Goso, C.. Universidad de la Republica. Facultad de Química y Facultad de Ciencias; Uruguay Fil: Velasco, Ricardo Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis; Argentina