Furthermore, musical expertise had a double impact on the connectivity of the music region. First, music tracts were significantly larger in musicians than in non-musicians, associated with marginally higher connectivity to perisylvian music-related areas. Second, the spatial similarity between music and word tracts was significantly increased in musicians, consistently with the increased overlap of language and music functional activations in musicians, as compared to non-musicians. These results support the view that, for music as for words, very specific anatomical connections influence the specialization of distinct VOT areas, and that reciprocally those connections are selectively enhanced by the expertise for word or music reading. Listening to pleasant music engages a complex distributed network including pivotal areas for auditory, reward, emotional and memory processing. On the other hand, frontal theta rhythms appear to be relevant in the process of giving value to music. However, it is not clear to which extent this oscillatory mechanism underlies the brain interactions that characterize music-evoked pleasantness and its related processes. The goal of the present experiment was to study brain synchronization in this oscillatory band as a function of music-evoked pleasantness. EEG was recorded from 25 healthy subjects while they were listening to music and rating the experienced degree of induced pleasantness. By using a multilevel Bayesian approach we found that phase synchronization in the theta band between right temporal and frontal signals increased with the degree of pleasure experienced by participants. These results show that slow fronto-temporal loops play a key role in music-evoked pleasantness. Event-related potentials (ERP) waveforms are the summation of many overlapping signals. Changes in the peak or mean amplitude of a waveform over a given time period, therefore, cannot reliably be attributed to a particular ERP component of ex ante interest, as is the standard approach to ERP analysis. Though this problem is widely recognized, it is not well addressed in practice. Our approach begins by presuming that any observed ERP waveform - at any electrode, for any trial type, and for any participant - is approximately a weighted combination of signals from an underlying set of what we refer to as principle ERPs, or pERPs. We propose an accessible approach to analyzing complete ERP waveforms in terms of their underlying pERPs. First, we propose the principle ERP reduction (pERP-RED) algorithm for investigators to estimate a suitable set of pERPs from their data, which may span multiple tasks. Next, we provide tools and illustrations of pERP-space analysis, whereby observed ERPs are decomposed into the amplitudes of the contributing pERPs, which can be contrasted across conditions or groups to reveal which pERPs differ (substantively and/or significantly) between conditions/groups. Differences on all pERPs can be reported together rather than selectively, providing complete information on all components in the waveform, thereby avoiding selective reporting or user discretion regarding the choice of which components or windows to use. The scalp distribution of each pERP can also be plotted for any group/condition. We demonstrate this suite of tools through simulations and on real data collected from multiple experiments on participants diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Software for conducting these analyses is provided in the pERPred package for R. Tillering is a major determinant of rice plant architecture and grain yield. Here, we report that depletion of rice OsNRPD1a and OsNRPD1b, two orthologs of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase IV, leads to a high-tillering phenotype, in addition to dwarfism and smaller panicles. OsNRPD1a and OsNRPD1b are required for the production of 24-nt small interfering RNAs that direct DNA methylation at transposable elements (TEs) including miniature inverted-repeat TEs (MITEs). Interestingly, many genes are regulated either positively or negatively by TE methylation. Among them, OsMIR156d and OsMIR156j, which promote rice tillering, are repressed by CHH methylation at two MITEs in the promoters. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Nafamostat-mesylate.html By contrast, D14, which suppresses rice tillering, is activated by CHH methylation at an MITE in its downstream. Our findings reveal regulation of rice tillering by RNA-directed DNA methylation at MITEs and provide potential targets for agronomic trait enhancement through epigenome editing. Protein abundance and localization at the plasma membrane (PM) shapes plant development and mediates adaptation to changing environmental conditions. It is regulated by ubiquitination, a post-translational modification crucial for the proper sorting of endocytosed PM proteins to the vacuole for subsequent degradation. To understand the significance and the variety of roles played by this reversible modification, the function of ubiquitin receptors, which translate the ubiquitin signature into a cellular response, needs to be elucidated. In this study, we show that TOL (TOM1-like) proteins function in plants as multivalent ubiquitin receptors, governing ubiquitinated cargo delivery to the vacuole via the conserved Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT) pathway. TOL2 and TOL6 interact with components of the ESCRT machinery and bind to K63-linked ubiquitin via two tandemly arranged conserved ubiquitin-binding domains. Mutation of these domains results not only in a loss of ubiquitin binding but also altered localization, abolishing TOL6 ubiquitin receptor activity. Function and localization of TOL6 is itself regulated by ubiquitination, whereby TOL6 ubiquitination potentially modulates degradation of PM-localized cargoes, assisting in the fine-tuning of the delicate interplay between protein recycling and downregulation. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the function and regulation of a ubiquitin receptor that mediates vacuolar degradation of PM proteins in higher plants. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is an important post-translational regulatory mechanism that controls many cellular functions in eukaryotes. Here, we show that stable expression of P3 protein encoded by Rice grassy stunt virus (RGSV), a negative-strand RNA virus in the Bunyavirales, causes developmental abnormities similar to the disease symptoms caused by RGSV, such as dwarfing and excess tillering, in transgenic rice plants. We found that both transgenic expression of P3 and RGSV infection induce ubiquitination and UPS-dependent degradation of rice NUCLEAR RNA POLYMERASE D1a (OsNRPD1a), one of two orthologs of the largest subunit of plant-specific RNA polymerase IV (Pol IV), which is required for RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). Furthermore, we identified a P3-inducible U-box type E3 ubiquitin ligase, designated as P3-inducible protein 1 (P3IP1), which interacts with OsNRPD1a and mediates its ubiquitination and UPS-dependent degradation in vitro and in vivo. Notably, both knockdown of OsNRPD1 and overexpression of P3IP1 in rice plants induced developmental phenotypes similar to RGSV disease symptomss.

82 and 0.88 in subscales of the survey and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient values were between 0.52 and 0.65 in subscales of the survey and 0.64 in overall survey. CONCLUSION In the Turkish version of MISSCARE Survey-Pediatric version, the section A with 29 items and the section B with 16 items were valid and reliable. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The survey is a valid and reliable tool for intercultural studies revealing the nursing care activities missed by nurses working in pediatric clinics and the reasons for such activities. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are active pharmaceutical ingredients in antibody drugs, produced mainly using recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The regulation of recombinant CHO cell proliferation can improve the productivity of heterologous proteins. Chemical compound approaches for cell cycle regulation have the advantages of simplicity and ease of use in industrial processes. However, CHO cells have genetic and phenotypic diversity, and the effects of such compounds might depend on cell line and culture conditions. Increasing the variety of cell cycle inhibitors is a promising strategy to overcome the dependency. Marine microorganisms are a vast and largely undeveloped source of secondary metabolites with physiological activity. In this study, we focused on secondary metabolites of marine microorganisms and evaluated their effectiveness as cell cycle inhibitory compounds. Of 720 extracts from microorganisms (400 actinomycetes and 320 filamentous fungi) collected from the Okinawan Sea, we identified nine extracts that decreased the specific growth rate and increased the specific production rate without reducing cell viability. After fractionating the extracts, the components of active fractions were estimated using time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis. Then, four compounds, including staurosporine and undecylprodigiosin were deduced to be active compounds. These compounds have been reported to exert a cell cycle inhibitory effect on mammalian cells. These compounds might serve as additives to improve mAb production in CHO cells. This study indicates that secondary metabolites of marine microorganisms are a useful source for new cell cycle inhibitory compounds that can increase mAb production in CHO cells. Urethanase (EC 3.5.1.75) is an effective enzyme for removing ethyl carbamate (EC) present in alcoholic beverages. However, urethanase is not well studied and has not yet been developed for practical use. In this study, we report a new urethanase (CPUTNase) from the yeast Candida parapsilosis. Because C. parapsilosis can assimilate EC as its sole nitrogen source, the enzyme was extracted from yeast cells and purified using ion-exchange chromatography. The CPUTNase was estimated as a homotetramer comprising four units of a 61.7 kDa protein. In a 20% ethanol solution, CPUTNase had 73% activity compared with a solution without ethanol. Residual activity after 18 h indicated that CPUTNase was stable in 0%-40% ethanol solutions. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/isrib.html The optimum temperature of CPUTNase was 43°C. This enzyme showed urethanase activity at pH 5.5-10.0 and exhibited its highest activity at pH 10. The gene of CPUTNase was identified, and a recombinant enzyme was expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Characteristics of recombinant CPUTNase were identical to the native enzyme. The putative amino acid sequence indicated that CPUTNase was an amidase family protein. Further, substrate specificity supported this sequence analysis because CPUTNase showed higher activities toward amide compounds. These results suggest that amidase could be a candidate for urethanase. We discovered a new enzyme and investigated its enzymatic characteristics, sequence, and recombinant CPUTNase expression. These results contribute to a further understanding of urethanase. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the impact of prescription opioid-related education provided to a patient by a health care provider on patient outcomes. DATA SOURCES The databases searched were PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (EBSCO), Academic Search Premier (EBSCO), Health Source Nursing/Academic Edition (EBSCO), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (OVID). STUDY SELECTION Studies were included if they were in English, peer-reviewed, and published between 1996 and October 22, 2018. Patient educational approaches initiated by health care providers for opioid medications in adults older than 18 years of age were evaluated. Studies were excluded if the full articles were unavailable or duplicates, or if they involved studies that did not explore provider-initiated patient educational interventions targeting opioid medications. Studies taking place outside the United States were excluded, as well. DATA EXTRACTION Titles and abstracts of 4863as this could inform pharmacists on how they should educate their patients. OBJECTIVES To determine if a difference in the use of point-of-care (POC) testing and treatment under a collaborative pharmacy practice agreement exists between insured and uninsured patients and also between patients established with a primary care provider (PCP) and those who are not established. A secondary objective was to assess patient satisfaction with a new, pharmacist-provided service. SETTING Two independent community pharmacies. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION Perkins Drugs is an independent community pharmacy practice that operates 2 sites in Gallatin, Tennessee. PRACTICE INNOVATION This practice innovation was pharmacist-provided POC influenza and group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis testing and associated treatment when appropriate. Pharmacists entered into a collaborative pharmacy practice agreement with a physician at a nearby primary care clinic, which allowed for the testing and prescribing of medication under a predetermined decision tree. EVALUATION Patient demographics and satisfaction levels witts and elevate the pharmacist's role within the health care system. The cynomolgus macaque, partly due to its evolutionary closeness to humans, is an important nonhuman primate species used in drug metabolism studies. In humans, expressions of cytochromes P450 (P450s), including the important drug-metabolizing enzyme P450 3A4, are affected by various cytokines. However, this phenomenon has not been fully investigated in cynomolgus macaques. In this study, the effects of cytokines on P450 expression were investigated using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction to evaluate mRNA expression. Hepatocytes from cynomolgus macaques were treated with lipopolysaccharide and various cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and the expression levels of 11 P450s were compared with those of solvent-treated controls. Tumor necrosis factor-α significantly decreased cynomolgus P450 2C8 and 2C76 mRNA expression in multiple lots of cynomolgus hepatocytes investigated. IL-1β significantly decreased cynomolgus P450 1A1, 2C8, 2C19, and 2C76 mRNA expression, but increased P450 3A5 mRNA expression in multiple lots of hepatocytes.

The analysis of the protein-substrate patterns showed that every second or third carbohydrate unit in long substrates stacks with protein aromatic amino acids. V.Impairment of executive functions including attention and working memory (WM) have been proposed as an important feature of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). During the recognition phase of a delayed match-to-sample test (DMTS) a reduced N2pc component, related to the attentional selection of the memorized item and a reduced distractor positivity (Pd), related to the processing suppression of distractors are expected in ADHD subjects. For the purpose of the study, twenty-nine ADHD subjects diagnosed with a structured interview and the DuPaul questionnaire, were included in the study. Thirty-four control subjects were recruited from public schools and matched by age (from 6 to 17 years old) and gender with the ADHD group. Reaction times (RTs), errors, and Event Related Potentials (ERPs) were obtained in a DMTS task during the recognition phase in correct trials. RTs and errors were higher in ADHD subjects compared to the control group. Specifically, errors were much higher in ADHD than in controls. The cluster mass permutation statistics showed a significant N2pc component in both groups during the recognition phase, but a significant Pd component was present only in controls. The present results suggest that in correct trials ADHD children use the same neural resources to select the memorized item from WM with similar efficacy than controls, although a lower Pd suggests a difficulty in suppressing distractors. V.The potential for inhibiting recrystallization with Eudragit® L (EUD-L), hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS), and polyvinylpyrrolidone-co-vinylacetate (PVP-VA) on amorphous felodipine (FLD) at low polymer loading was investigated in this study. The physical stabilities of the FLD/polymer amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) were investigated through storage at 40 °C. The HPMC-AS and PVP-VA strongly inhibited FLD recrystallization, although EUD-L did not effectively inhibit the FLD recrystallization. The rotating frame 1H spin-lattice relaxation time (1H-T1ρ) measurement clarified that EUD-L was not well mixed with FLD in the ASD, which resulted in weak inhibition of recrystallization by EUD-L. In contrast, the HPMC-AS and PVP-VA were well mixed with the FLD in the ASDs. Solid-state 13C spin-lattice relaxation time (13C-T1) measurements at 40 °C showed that the molecular mobility of the FLD was strongly suppressed when mixed with polymer. The reduction in the molecular mobility of FLD was in the following order, starting with the least impact FLD/EUD-L ASD, FLD/HPMC-AS ASD, and FLD/PVP-VA ASD. FLD mobility at the storage temperature, evaluated by 13C-T1, showed a good correlation with the physical stability of the amorphous FLD. The direct investigation of the molecular mobility of amorphous drugs at the storage temperature by solid-state NMR relaxation time measurement can be a useful tool in selecting the most effective crystallization inhibitor at low polymer loading. Curcumin (Cur) and demethoxycurcumin (Dcur) are two natural analogues of phenol extracted from turmeric, possessing various pharmacological properties. However, their therapeutic potentials are substantially limited by their rather poor aqueous solubility and bioavailability. Herein, novel soluble supramolecular complexes of the two curcuminoids were firstly prepared by integrating phospholipid (PC) compound technology and a hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) inclusion technique to enhance the bioavailability of the curcuminoids. The PC-HPβCD supramolecular complexes were demonstrated to show improved solubility, augmented drug release, enhanced in situ gastrointestinal absorption, and increased oral bioavailability. The significantly increased bioavailability might be attribute to the appropriate particle sizes ( less then 200 nm), the near-neutral suface charges as well as the additional effects of PC and HPβCD. Overall, the PC-HPβCD supramolecular complexes may be considered as promising candidates for the efficient oral delivery of the curcuminoids; moreover, they are inexpensive, simple to prepare, and have good market prospects. Interestingly, the two natural analogues were found to be different in their in vivo bioavailability with or without supramolecular complexing, probably owing to the difference in the phenylmethoxy group. Therefore, Dcur may have a broader prospect in the pharmaceutical industry, based on its remarkable improvement in bioavailability and reported physiological activity. V.Osteogenic differentiation is great significance for improving the bone regeneration. Present study evaluates the osteogenic ability of lanthanum (La3+) and silicate (SiO44-) substituted hydroxyapatite (MHAP) - polymeric composite coated surface treated titanium (Ti) implant. The bio-ceramic MHAP was synthesized by hydrothermal process with assistance of calcium alginate template. For enhance the hydrophilicity, the polymer poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) was included in the composite by ultra-sonication method. The negative zeta potential value -9.97 mV of Ca-alg/ La, Si-HAP was observed after the incorporation of PVP in the matrix. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/stattic.html Incorporation of minerals and PVP polymer was confirmed and analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Electron Microscopy techniques. A compact coating of the composite with the thickness of 448 nm on Ti surface was achieved by Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. The in-vitro MTT assay method and alkaline phosphate ALP activity (94 % and 0.94 a.u respectively for the optimized composite) were utilized to determine the cell viability and differentiation on human Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells (hBMSCs). The osteogenic ability of bio-composite coated Ti in hBMSCs and in-vivo rat model has strongly suggests the fabricated Ti plate with bio-composite coatings can act as promising biomaterial for orthopedics. V.The ACC-1 family of cys-loop receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels sensitive to acetylcholine (ACh), and are only present in invertebrates. Studies of this family of inhibitory receptors has provided insight into how they bind and respond to ACh in a manner vastly different from nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and appear to be present in tissues that are relevant to anthelmintic action. Here, we have identified two members of the ACC-1 family from the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus, Hco-LGC-46 and Hco-ACC-4. Hco-LGC-46 is an ACC subunit that has never been previously expressed and pharmacologically characterized. We found that Hco-LGC-46 when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes forms a functional homomeric channel that is responsive to the cholinergic agonists ACh and methylcholine. hco-lgc-46 expressed in a C. elegans lgc-46 null strain (ok2900) suppressed hypersensitivity to aldicarb in a manner similar to cel-lgc-46. It was also found that Hco-LGC-46 assembles with Hco-ACC-1 and produces a receptor that is over 5-fold more sensitive to ACh and responds to the cholinergic agonists methycholine and carbachol.

INTRODUCTION Focal therapy (FT) targets individual areas of cancer within the prostate, providing oncological control with minimal side-effects. Early evidence demonstrates encouraging short-medium-term outcomes. With no randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing FT to radical therapies, Comparative Healthcare Research Outcomes of Novel Surgery in prostate cancer (CHRONOS) will compare the cancer control of these two strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS CHRONOS is a parallel phase II RCT for patients with clinically significant non-metastatic prostate cancer, dependent upon clinician/patient decision, patients will enrol into either CHRONOS-A or CHRONOS-B. CHRONOS-A will randomize patients to either radical treatment or FT. CHRONOS-B is a multi-arm, multistage RCT comparing focal therapy alone to FT with neoadjuvant agents that might improve the current focal therapy outcomes. An internal pilot will determine the feasibility of, and compliance to, randomization. The proposed definitive study plans to recruit and randomize 1190 patients into CHRONOS-A and 1260 patients into CHRONOS-B. RESULTS Primary outcome in CHRONOS-A is progression-free survival (transition to salvage local or systemic therapy, development of metastases or prostate-cancer-related mortality) and in CHRONOS-B is failure-free survival (includes the above definition and recurrence of clinically significant prostate cancer after initial FT). Secondary outcomes include adverse events, health economics and functional outcomes measured using validated questionnaires. CHRONOS is powered to assess non-inferiority of FT compared to radical therapy in CHRONOS-A, and superiority of neoadjuvant agents with FT in CHRONOS-B. CONCLUSION CHRONOS will assess the oncological outcomes after FT compared to radical therapy and whether neoadjuvant treatments improve cancer control following one FT session. Theories differ over whether religious and secular worldviews are in competition or represent overlapping and compatible frameworks. Here we test these theories by examining homogeneity and overlap in Christian and non-religious people's explanations of the world. Christian and non-religious participants produced free text explanations of 54 natural and supernatural phenomena. Using a new text analytic approach, we quantitatively measure the similarity between 7613 participant generated explanations. We find that the relative homogeneity of Christian and non-religious people's explanations vary depending on the kind of phenomena being explained. Non-religious people provided more similar explanations for natural than supernatural phenomena, whereas Christian explanations were relatively similar across both natural and supernatural phenomena. This challenges the idea that religious systems standardize and restrict people's worldviews in general, and instead suggest this effect is domain specific. We also find Christian and non-religious participants used largely overlapping concepts to explain natural and supernatural phenomena. This suggests that religious systems supplement rather than compete with secular based worldviews, and demonstrates how text analytics can help understand the structure of group differences. BACKGROUND Clinical decision support (CDS) tools designed to digest, filter, organize, and present health data are becoming essential in providing clinical and cost-effective care. Many are not rigorously evaluated for benefit before implementation. We assessed whether computerized CDS for primary care providers would improve atrial fibrillation (AF) management and outcomes as compared to usual care. METHODS Overall, 203 primary care providers were recruited, randomized, and then cluster stratified by location (urban, rural) to usual care (n = 99) or CDS (n = 104). Providers recruited 1,145 adult patients with AF to participate. The intervention was access to an evidenced-based, point-of-care computerized CDS designed to support guideline-based AF management. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of unplanned cardiovascular hospitalizations and AF-related emergency department visits; the primary safety outcome was major bleeding, both over 1 year. Patients were the units of intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS No significant effects on the primary efficacy (130 control, 118 CDS, hazard ratio 0.98 [95% CI 0.71-1.37], P = .926) or safety (n = 7 usual care, n = 8 CDS, 1.3% total, P = .939) outcomes were observed at 12-months. CONCLUSIONS IMPACT-AF rigorously assessed a CDS tool in a highly representative sample of primary care providers and their patients; however, no impact on outcomes was observed. Considering the proliferating use of CDS applications, this study highlights the need for efficacy assessments prior to adoption and clinical implementation. OBJECTIVES Cerebral cavernous malformations (CMs) are benign vascular hamartomas of central nervous system. Although they are mostly asymptomatic, they may occasionally result in life-threatening complications leading to surgical treatment. The main goal is to evaluate the surgical outcomes of operated pediatric cerebral CMs in our clinic and compare our results with the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS The data of 29 pediatric patients who were operated for cerebral CMs in our clinic between 2007 and 2016 were collected. RESULTS Of 29 patients, 13 were girls and 16 were boys, and the mean age at operation was 11.4 years (range from 2 to 17 years). Main symptoms at presentation were seizures (15 patients, 51.7 %), headache (12 patients, 41.3 %), and focal neurological deficits (4 patients, 13.7 %). The frequency of hemorrhage in CMs was significantly higher in younger patients (p = 0.019). Total excision was achieved in all patients. The mean follow-up period was 27.3 months (range from 12 to 97 months). New neurological deficit following surgery occurred in 1 patient (3.4 %) who completely recovered after 3 months. After surgery, 1 patient (3.4 %) has become free of preoperative deficit; while the rest (27 patients) remained in preoperative neurological status. Of 15 patients presented with seizures preoperatively, 10 patients (66.6 %) were seizure free (Engel Class 1), 4 (26.6 %) were "almost seizure free" (Engel Class 2) and one (6.6 %) experienced "worthwhile improvement" (Engel Class 3) at the last follow up visit. There was no mortality in our series. CONCLUSION Although management of cerebral CMs in childhood is controversial, total resection ensures good clinical outcome and seizure control. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/loxo-195.html In addition, age can be a predisposing factor for hemorrhage. V.

Results The verdict was 'Yes'; the resource was good. Three themes were derived communication of health information, resource content and harm reduction in pregnancy. Based on these data, ways to enhance the quality and usability of the booklet were evident. Conclusions Citizens' juries can be used to obtain an independent assessment by end-users of health resources. Our modified diet and diabetes booklet was considered suitable for providing healthy eating advice to pregnant women. Inclusion of end-users' perspectives is critical for end-user relevant content, comprehension and resource credibility.More than 50% of Spanish youth does not use of condoms correctly and consistently. University students are a particular population at high risk of the HIV infection, other STIs and unwanted pregnancies. The influence of psychological variables in using of condom is analyzed by gender and type of sexual relationship. A total of 256 females and 168 males were assessed (Mage= 20.62; SD = 2.16). A regression logistic analysis showed that sexual sensation seeking appears as an explanatory variable of inconsistently condom use in both females and males in vaginal intercourse, steady relationship intercourse and sex under the alcohol and other drugs effects (adjusted odds ratio between 1.095 and 1.124). Moreover, self-esteem appears as a risk factor and extraversion as a protective factor of use of condom in females. On the other hand, neuroticism reveals itself as a protective factor and fear of negative evaluation as a risk factor of use of condom in males. It is necessary to know the psychological mechanisms that underlie sexual risk behaviors for adapting interventions to individual and contextual characteristics.Background Reducing stigma is a perennial target of mental health advocates, but effectively addressing stigma relies on the ability to correctly understand and accurately measure culture-specific and location-specific components of stigma and discrimination. Methods We developed two culture-sensitive measures that assess the core components of stigma. The 40-item Interpersonal Distance Scale (IDS) asks respondents about their willingness to establish four different types of relationships with individuals with 10 target conditions, including five mental health-related conditions and five comparison conditions. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/nsc697923.html The 40-item Occupational Restrictiveness Scale (ORS) asks respondents how suitable it is for individuals with the 10 conditions to assume four different types of occupations. The scales - which take 15 min to complete - were administered as part of a 2013 survey in Ningxia Province, China to a representative sample of 2425 adult community members. Results IDS and ORS differentiated the level of stigma between the 10 conditions. Of the total, 81% of respondents were unwilling to have interpersonal relationships with individuals with mental health-related conditions and 91% considered them unsuitable for various occupations. Substantial differences in attitudes about the five mental health-related conditions suggest that there is no community consensus about what constitutes a 'mental illness'. Conclusions Selection of comparison conditions, types of social relationships, and types of occupations considered by the IDS and ORS make it possible to develop culture-sensitive and cohort-specific measures of interpersonal distance and occupational restrictiveness that can be used to compare the level and type of stigma associated with different conditions and to monitor changes in stigma over time.Objective To determine the level of vitamin D and to identify the association between vitamin D and depressive symptoms in apparently healthy Korean male adults. Design A retrospective study design. Among 43 513 participants between 1 March and 30 November 2018, after eliminating participants with a history of depression or vitamin D deficiency, 9058 were included. To determine the level of vitamin D, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured. To assess the level of depression, the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used. Setting South Korea. Participants Male adults who underwent routine health check-ups. Results The average vitamin D level was 22·31 ± 7·09 ng/ml as 25(OH)D, while the number of subjects in the vitamin D insufficiency group with a finding of less then 20 ng/ml was 3783 (41·8 %). The mean CES-D score in all subjects was 8·31 ± 5·97 points, and the proportion of the depressive symptoms group with a score of ≥16 was 8·71 %. The OR of patients in the depressive symptoms group also being in the insufficiency group was found to be 1·49 (95 % CI 1·12, 2·00). Conclusions A total of 41·8 % of apparently healthy male adults had vitamin D levels less then 20 ng/ml. We identified an association between vitamin D insufficiency and depressive symptoms in apparently healthy Korean male adults.Background Preventing breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) by preserving upper lymphatic drainage is still controversial. Our study aimed to use the axillary reverse mapping (ARM) technique in patients who underwent axillary surgery to analyse the correlation between postoperative residual ARM nodes and the occurrence of lymphedema, select candidates at high risk of developing lymphedema, and analyse the oncologic safety of ARM nodes. Methods Patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) from October 2015 to February 2016 at the Peking University People's Hospital Breast Center were prospectively recruited for the study. ARM was performed in all patients before surgery. ARM nodes were separated from SLNB and ALND specimens. Data were collected on the identification of ARM nodes before surgery, number of residual ARM nodes after surgery, nodal status, crossover rate, and correlation between residual ARM nodes and the occurrence of lymphedema. Results The anal study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov in February 2016. The clinical trial registration number is NCT02691624.Background Malaria in pregnancy, including asymptomatic infection, has a detrimental impact on foetal development. Individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis was conducted to compare the association between antimalarial treatments and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including placental malaria, accompanied with the gestational age at diagnosis of uncomplicated falciparum malaria infection. Methods A systematic review and one-stage IPD meta-analysis of studies assessing the efficacy of artemisinin-based and quinine-based treatments for patent microscopic uncomplicated falciparum malaria infection (hereinafter uncomplicated falciparum malaria) in pregnancy was conducted. The risks of stillbirth (pregnancy loss at ≥ 28.0 weeks of gestation), moderate to late preterm birth (PTB, live birth between 32.0 and less then 37.0 weeks), small for gestational age (SGA, birthweight of less then 10th percentile), and placental malaria (defined as deposition of malaria pigment in the placenta with or without parasites) after different treatments of uncomplicated falciparum malaria were assessed by mixed-effects logistic regression, using artemether-lumefantrine, the most used antimalarial, as the reference standard.

A straightforward flow synthesis of α-chloro aldehydes has been developed. The strategy involves, for the first time, the thermal unstable chloroiodomethyllithium carbenoid and carbonyl compounds. A batch versus flow comparative study showcases the superb capability of flow technology in prolonging the lifetime of the lithiated carbenoid, even at -20 °C. Remarkably, the high chemoselectivity realized in flow allowed for preparing polyfunctionalized α-chloro aldehydes not easily accessible with traditional batch procedures.Recent advances in the synthesis of stable organic (open-shell) polyradicaloids have opened their application as active compounds for emerging technologies. These systems typically exhibit small energy differences between states with different spin multiplicities, which are intrinsically difficult to calculate by theoretical methods. We thus apply here some DFT-based variants (FT-DFT, SF-DFT, and SF-TDDFT) on a test set of large and real-world molecules, as test systems for which such energy differences are experimentally available, also comparing systematically with RAS-SF results to infer if shortcomings of previous DFT applications are corrected. Additionally, we explore the spin-spin contribution to the ZFS tensor, of high interest for EPR spectroscopy, and derive the spatial extent of the corresponding (photoexcited) triplet state.A dearomative electrophilic fluorination of 2-methylindoles is reported, delivering 3,3-difluoroindolines bearing an exomethylidene. The model substrate was synthesized on up to a 20 mmol scale and was purified by a practical recrystallization as a crystalline bench-stable, yet reactive solid. The olefin is amphoteric and can react both as a nucleophile and as an electrophile. A wide range of metal-free, palladium, rhodium, and copper reactions was explored, forming new C-H, C-B, C-C (alkyl and aryl), C-N, C-O, C-P, and C-S bonds.Up to 10% of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted by searching PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane database of systematic reviews for randomized control trials that studied the safety and efficacy of different antithrombotic strategies in these patients. Six studies, including 12,158 patients were included. Compared to that in the triple antithrombotic therapy group (vitamin K antagonist (VKA) plus P2Y12 inhibitor and aspirin), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) major bleeding was significantly reduced in the dual antithrombotic therapy (non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) plus P2Y12 inhibitor) group by 47% (Odds ratio (OR), 0.53; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.35-0.78; I2 = 0%). Besides, NOAC plus a P2Y12 inhibitor was associated with less intracranial hemorrhage compared to VKA plus single antiplatelet therapy (OR 0.20, 95% CrI 0.05-0.77). There was no significant difference in the trial-defined major adverse cardiac events or the individual outcomes of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke or stent thrombosis among all antithrombotic strategies. In conclusion, antithrombotic strategy of NOACs plus P2Y12 inhibitor is safer than, and as effective as, the strategies including aspirin when used in AF patients undergoing PCI.Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) constitutes the most aggressive molecular subtype among breast tumors. Despite progress on the underlying tumor biology, clinical outcomes for TNBC unfortunately remain poor. The median overall survival for patients with metastatic TNBC is approximately eighteen months. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment while there is a growing body of evidence that targeted therapies may be on the horizon with poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and immune check-point inhibitors already established in the treatment paradigm of TNBC. A large number of novel therapeutic agents are being evaluated for their efficacy in TNBC. As novel therapeutics are now incorporated into clinical practice, it is clear that tumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution can result to de novo or acquired treatment resistance. As precision medicine and next generation sequencing is part of cancer diagnostics, tailored treatment approaches based on the expression of molecular markers are currently being implemented in clinical practice and clinical trial design. The scope of this review is to highlight the most relevant current knowledge regarding underlying molecular profile of TNBC and its potential application in clinical practice.Saltpans are a class of ephemeral wetland characterized by alternating periods of inundation, rising salinity, and desiccation. We obtained soil cores from a saltpan on the Mississippi Gulf coast in both the inundated and desiccated state. The microbiomes of surface and 30 cm deep sediment were determined using Illumina sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial and archaeal community composition differed significantly between sediment depths but did not differ between inundated and desiccated states. Well-represented taxa included marine microorganisms as well as multiple halophiles, both observed in greater proportions in surface sediment. Functional inference of metagenomic data showed that saltpan sediments in the inundated state had greater potential for microbial activity and that several energetic and degradation pathways were more prevalent in saltpan sediment than in nearby tidal marsh sediment. Microbial communities within saltpan sediments differed in composition from those in adjacent freshwater and brackish marshes. These findings indicate that the bacterial and archaeal microbiomes of saltpans are highly stratified by sediment depth and are only minimally influenced by changes in hydration. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Nafamostat-mesylate.html The surface sediment community is likely isolated from the shallow subsurface community by compaction, with the microbial community dominated by marine and terrestrial halophiles.Powder metallurgy is a group of advanced processes for the synthesis, processing, and shaping of various kinds of materials. Initially inspired by ceramics processing, the methodology comprising of the production of a powder and its transformation to a compact solid product has attracted great attention since the end of World War II. At present, there are many technologies for powder production (e.g., gas atomization of the melt, chemical reduction, milling, and mechanical alloying) and its consolidation (e.g., pressing and sintering, hot isostatic pressing, and spark plasma sintering). The most promising ones can achieve an ultra-fine or nano-grained structure of the powder, and preserve it during consolidation. Among these methods, mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering play a key role. This Special Issue gives special focus to the advancement of mechanical alloying, spark plasma sintering and self-propagating high-temperature synthesis methods, as well as to the role of these processes in the development of new materials.

Contamination of edible produce leaves with human bacterial pathogens has been associated with serious disease outbreaks and has become a major public health concern affecting all aspects of the market, from farmers to consumers. While pathogen populations residing on the surface of ready-to-eat produce can be potentially removed through thorough washing, there is no disinfection technology available that effectively eliminates internal bacterial populations. By screening 303 multi-gene deletion (MGD) mutants of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) 14028s, we were able to identify ten genomic regions that play a role in opening the stomatal pore of lettuce leaves. The major metabolic functions of the deleted regions are associated with sensing the environment, bacterium movement, transport through the bacterial membrane, and biosynthesis of surface appendages. Interestingly, at 21 days post inoculation, seven of these mutants showed increased population titers inside the leaf, two mutants showed siminvestigated in this study provides a foundation from which to develop mitigation tactics to enhance food safety. Copyright © 2020 Montano, Rossidivito, Torreano, Porwollik, Sela Saldinger, McClelland and Melotto.The formation of the fungal mycelial network is facilitated by somatic cell fusion of germinating asexual spores (or germlings). Neurospora crassa germlings in close proximity display chemotropic growth that is dependent upon an intracellular network of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades. Approximately 80 genes involved in intercellular communication and fusion have been identified, including three mutants with similar morphological phenotypes Δwhi-2, Δcsp-6, and Δamph-1. Here we show that WHI-2 localizes to the cell periphery and regulates endocytosis, mitochondrial organization, sporulation, and cell fusion. WHI-2 was required to transduce signals through a conserved MAPK pathway (NRC-1/MEK-2/MAK-2) and target transcription factors (PP-1/ADV-1). The amph-1 locus encodes a Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs domain-containing protein and mis-expression of whi-2 compensated for the cell fusion and endocytosis deficiencies of a Δamph-1 mutant. The csp-6 locus encodes a haloacid dehalogenase phosphatase whose activity was essential for cell fusion. Although fusion-deficient with themselves, cells that lacked whi-2, csp-6, or amph-1 showed a low frequency of chemotropic interactions with wild type cells. We hypothesize that WHI-2 could be important for signal perception during chemotropic interactions via a role in endocytosis. Copyright © 2020 Gonçalves, Chow, Cea-Sánchez and Glass.Oral exposure to the heavy metal lead (Pb) causes various dysfunctions in animals. However, the influence of gut bacteria on Pb absorption, bioaccumulation, and excretion is largely unknown. In this study, we use a mouse model to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota, Pb-intolerant intestinal microbes and Pb toxicity. First, mice were treated with a broad-spectrum antibiotic cocktail to deplete their gut microbiota, and were then acutely and orally exposed to Pb at 1304 mg/kg for 3 days. Compared to the control mice, antibiotic-treated mice had increased Pb concentrations in the blood and primary organs and decreased Pb fecal concentrations, suggesting that gut microbiota limited the Pb burden that developed from acute oral Pb exposure. Next, three Pb-intolerant gut microbes, Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Oscillibacter ruminantium, were orally administered to mice, and their effects against Pb toxicity were evaluated. F. prausnitzii treatment significantly promoted the fecal Pb excretion and reduced Pb concentrations in blood (from 152.70 ± 25.62 μg/dL to 92.20 ± 24.33 μg/dL) and primary tissues. Supplementation with O. ruminantium significantly decreased Pb concentrations in blood (from 152.70 ± 25.62 μg/dL to 104.60 ± 29.85 μg/dL) and kidney (from 7.30 ± 1.08 μg/g to 5.64 ± 0.79 μg/g). Treatment with F. prausnitzii and O. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/H-89-dihydrochloride.html ruminantium also upregulated tight junction (TJ) protein expression and the production of short-chain fatty acids by colonic microbiota, and showed protective effects against liver and kidney toxicity. These results indicate the potential for reducing Pb toxicity by the modulation of gut microbiota. Copyright © 2020 Zhai, Qu, Feng, Yu, Yu, Tian, Zhao, Zhang and Chen.In a desert, plants as holobionts quickly respond to resource pulses like precipitation. However, little is known on how environment and plants modulate the rhizosphere-associated microbiome. As a model species to represent the Atacama Desert bloom, Cistanthe longiscapa (Montiaceae family) was selected to study the influence of abiotic and biotic environment on the diversity and structure of the microbiota associated to its rhizosphere. We analyzed the rhizosphere and soil microbiome along a North-South precipitation gradient and between a dry and rainy year by using Illumina high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments and ITS2 regions for prokaryotes and fungi, respectively. In the rhizosphere of C. longiscapa the microbiota clearly differs in composition and structure from the surrounding bulk soil. The fungal and bacterial communities respond differently to environmental conditions. The diversity and richness of fungal OTUs were negatively correlated with aridity, as predicted. The community strucommunity structure of the former rhizosphere approximates to the one found in the bulk. In the context of plant-microbe interactions in desert environments, our study contributes new insights into the importance of aridity in microbial community structure and composition, discovering the influence of other soil parameters in this complex dynamic network, which needs further to be investigated. Copyright © 2020 Araya, González, Cardinale, Schnell and Stoll.HigB-HigA is a bacterial toxin-antitoxin (TA) system in which the antitoxin HigA can mask the endoribonuclease activity of toxin HigB and repress the transcription of the TA operon by binding to its own promoter region. The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa HigBA (PaHigBA) is closely associated with the pathogenicity by reducing the production of multiple virulence factors and biofilm formation. However, the molecular mechanism underlying HigBA TA operon transcription by PaHigA remains elusive. Here, we report the crystal structure of PaHigA binding to the promoter region of higBA operon containing two identical palindromic sequences at 3.14 Å resolution. The promoter DNA is bound by two cooperative dimers to essentially encircle the intact palindrome region. The helix-turn-helix (HTH) motifs from the two dimers insert into the major grooves of the DNA at the opposite sides. The DNA adopts a canonical B-DNA conformation and all the hydrogen bonds between protein and DNA are mediated by the DNA phosphate backbone.

Conclusion The therapeutic effect of intravenously injected bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease was confirmed by β-amyloid positron emission tomography imaging, memory functional studies and histopathological evaluation.Background Several operative interventions are available to alleviate pain in hallux rigidus, and the optimal operative technique is still a topic of debate among surgeons. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/gsk1838705a.html Three of these are arthrodesis, cheilectomy, and Keller's arthroplasty. Currently, it is unclear which intervention yields the best long-term result. The aim of this study was to assess which of these interventions performed best in terms of patient-reported outcome, pain scores, and disease recurrence at long-term follow-up. Methods These data are the follow-up to the initial study published in 2006. In the original study, 73 patients (n = 89 toes) with symptomatic hallux rigidus were recruited and underwent first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis (n = 33 toes), cheilectomy (n = 28 toes), or Keller's arthroplasty (n = 28 toes). Outcome measures were AOFAS hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal (HMI) score, and pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) at a mean follow-up period of 7 years. Patients of the original study wuse clinically important differences were detected and symptoms still diminish many years after surgery, a slight preference was evident for arthrodesis. Level of evidence Level III, comparative study.Bladder cancer is a rare disease in childhood; however, it is one of great clinical significance. Investigation and management follow a tailored approach, which is largely driven by clinical practice patterns in adult patients with the disease. We present the case of bladder cancer in a boy who presented to the primary care practitioner with visible haematuria. This case highlights the need for clinicians to consider malignancy as a possible cause for haematuria when assessing and investigating children with this presenting complaint.Objectives To review brief cognitive screening instruments for routine clinical monitoring in electroconvulsive therapy. Methods Brief cognitive screening instruments specifically developed for electroconvulsive therapy and commonly used brief generalised cognitive screening instruments were reviewed with relative advantages and disadvantages highlighted. Results Several brief cognitive screening tests designed for use in electroconvulsive therapy have been found sensitive for monitoring electroconvulsive therapy-related cognitive side effects. The choice of a brief generalised cognitive screening instrument for use in an electroconvulsive therapy clinical context comes with several pertinent considerations. Conclusion Electroconvulsive therapy is a highly effective treatment for pharmacoresistant and severe neuropsychiatric illness although cognitive side effects can be a barrier for treatment. Routine monitoring using brief cognitive screening instruments has advantages in busy clinical settings and can assist with optimising patient outcomes. More detailed neuropsychological assessment is recommended if the results from brief cognitive screening raise concerns.Objectives The aims of the study were to investigate the effect of a subcutaneous etonogestrel-containing contraceptive implant on the quality of life (QoL) and sexual function of women who had undergone termination of an unplanned pregnancy.Methods At pregnancy termination 140 women received contraceptive counselling on the etonogestrel implant. The Short Form-36 questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index and the Female Sexual Distress Scale were used to investigate, respectively, the QoL, sexual function and sexual distress of the women at baseline and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of follow-up.Results The study group comprised 86 (61.4%) women who chose to use the contraceptive implant. The control group comprised 28 (20.0%) women who chose to use short-acting reversible contraception (SARC) and 26 (18.6%) women who chose not to use hormonal contraception. In the women not using hormonal contraception there were 23 (88.5%) unintended pregnancies before the end of the 3 year study period. QoL, sexual function and sexual distress improved in the study group from the 6 months follow-up until the end of the study (p less then 0.001). QoL (p less then 0.02) and sexuality (p less then 0.001) gradually improved in the control group after 24 and 12 months of follow-up, respectively. None of the women using the etonogestrel implant became pregnant during the study. Inter-group analysis showed better improvement in QoL, sexual function and sexual distress in the study group than in the control group from 6 months (p less then 0.004) until the end of the study (p less then 0.001).Conclusion Compared with SARC and non-hormonal contraception, the contraceptive implant promoted better QoL and sexuality in users and reduced the incidence of unplanned pregnancy. However, the women who opted for SARC or non-hormonal contraception did so because of the lower cost compared with that of the contraceptive implant.Objectives We develop and evaluate a Trans and Gender Diverse Social Anxiety Scale (TSAS) suitable for use with trans and gender diverse (TGD) people.Methods We evaluate the TSAS on a sample of 171 TGD adults (40 transmen, 80 transwomen, and 51 gender nonbinary). We test the TSAS's construct validity against measures of perceived and enacted anti-trans stigma, and in comparison to a generic (i.e., non-TGD-specific) measure of social anxiety, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS).Results Factor analyses reveal a four-factor structure consisting of fear and avoidance of (i) social interactions with familiar people, (ii) public scrutiny, (iii) interactions with organizations, and (iv) interactions with religious people or religious authority. Hierarchical regressions confirm that although symptoms of social anxiety assessed by the TSAS overlap with symptoms of generic social anxiety, responses to the TSAS target social situations specifically related to anti-trans stigma. MANOVAs of TSAS score by TGD gender subgroups also reveal that transmen report more social anxiety than either gender nonbinary TGD people or transwomen.

Autism symptomology has a profound impact on cognitive and affective functioning, yet we know relatively little about how it shapes patterns of ongoing thought. In an exploratory study in a large population of neurotypical individuals, we used experience sampling to characterise the relationship between ongoing cognition and self-reported autistic traits. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/wnk463.html We found that with increasing autistic symptom score, cognition was characterised by thinking more in words than images. Analysis of structural neuroimaging data found that autistic traits linked to social interaction were associated with greater cortical thickness in a region of lingual gyrus (LG) within the occipital cortex. Analysis of resting state functional neuroimaging data found autistic traits were associated with stronger connectivity between the LG and a region of motor cortex. Importantly, the strength of connectivity between the LG and motor cortex moderated the link between autistic symptoms and thinking in words individuals showing higher connectivity showed a stronger association between autistic traits and thinking in words. Together we provide behavioural and neural evidence linking autistic traits to the tendency to think in words which may be rooted in underlying cortical organisation. These observations lay the groundwork for research into the form and content of self-generated thoughts in individuals with the established diagnosis of autism. AIMS & BACKGROUND The COVID-19 outbreak spread in China and is a threat to the world. The aims of this study to help health workers better understand the epidemic of the COVID-19 and provide different control strategies toward Hubei Province and other regions in China. METHODS A comprehensive search of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention official websites and announcements was performed between 20 Jan 2019 and 29 Feb 2020. The relevant data of the distribution of the infection on each reported day were obtained. RESULTS& FINDINGS Up to 29 Feb 2020, 79,824 confirmed cases with the COVID-19 including 66,907 in Hubei Province and 12,377 in other administrative regions were reported. The SARS-COV-2 showed faster epidemic trends compared with the 2003-SARS-CoV. A total of 2,870 deaths have been reported nationwide among 79,824 confirmed cases, with a mortality of 3.6%. The mortality of the COVID-19 was significantly higher in Hubei Province than that in other regions(4.1% versus 0.84%). Since 1 Feb 2020 the number of discharged cases exceeded the number of the dead. By 29 Feb 2020, the number of discharged patients was 41,625, which exceeded the number of hospitalized patients, and the trend has further increased. CONCLUSIONS The infection of the SARS-COV-2 is spreading and increasing nationwide, and Hubei Province is the main epidemic area, with higher mortality. The outbreak is now under initial control especially in other regions outside of Hubei Province. Due to the different epidemic characteristics between Hubei Province and other regions, we should focus on different prevention and control strategies. AIM OF THE STUDY The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different DAAs regimens in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) Egyptian patients who failed to achieve SVR after their treatment with SOF-based regimens. METHODS This was a retrospective observational multicenter study that included CHC patients that failed to achieve cure on SOF-based regimens who were re-treated using different DAAs regimen and were allocated according to national guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C. Primary outcome was to assess the SVR12 rate among prior non-responders after retreatment with a second course of DAAs. RESULTS Our study included 172 patients who failed to achieve SVR after treatment with SOF-based treatment regimen [ age 51.2 ± 11.3, 58.7% men]. Included patients were retreated using SOF/DCV/RBV, SOF/ r/PAR /OMB /RBV, SOF/DCV/SIM, SOF/LDV ± RBV or SIM/SOF. SVR12 was successfully attained in 95.35% (164/172) of the included non-responders. CONCLUSION The current multicenter study proved the efficacy of various DAAs regimens issued by the National Committee for Control of Viral Hepatitis for retreatment of relapsed CHC Egyptian patients. BACKGROUND Pre-eclampsia is a major contributor to pregnancy-associated morbidity and mortality and the management of this complex syndrome needs to be improved. Recently serum collectrin has emerged as a new member of the renin-angiotensin system that regulates the blood pressure through nitric oxide -endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the correlation of serum collectrin level and preeclampsia onset. STUDY DESIGN A prospective case control study. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ninety pregnant women attended the outpatient clinic Al-Yarmook Teaching Hospital in Baghdad / Iraq along the period from April 2018 until December 2018 had been divided into three groups. Group A included 30 pregnant women presented with early onset pre-eclampsia (before 34 weeks of gestation), group B included 30 pregnant women presented with late onset pre-eclampsia (at or after 34 weeks of gestation) and group C included 30 apparently healthy term pregnant women. Serum collectrin levels were measured for each pregnant woman by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analyzer. RESULTS The mean serum collectrin was the lowest in pregnant women with early onset pre-eclampsia (61.65 ± 3.62 pg/ml) while it was (82.61 ± 6.41 pg/ml) for pregnant women with late onset pre-eclampsia and (101.11 ± 8.27 pg/ml) for healthy term pregnant women. These differences were found to be significant (p value = 0.001). This significant decrement was inversely correlated with the systolic blood pressure (r = -0.565, p-value = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure and (r = -0.748, p-value = 0.001). CONCLUSION Serum collectrin levels had a significant role in controlling the blood pressure in pregnant women with a significant inverse correlation between serum collectrin concentrations and blood pressure. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of frozen section (FS) in mucinous borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) and to examine the factors associated with misdiagnosis. METHODS In this retrospective study, cases diagnosed as mucinous BOTs by FS or final pathologic (FP) results were studied. The results of FS and FP were compared, and the factors associated with misdiagnosis were analyzed. RESULTS Seventy-nine cases were examined. The median tumor diameter was 16 (6-50) cm, and 89.9 % of cases had tumors ≥10 cm. The overall agreement ratio between FS and FP was 79.7 %. Over-diagnosis and under-diagnosis rates were 3.8 % and 16.5 %, respectively. The sensitivity and positive predictive values were both 88.7 %. None of the underdiagnosed patients (13 cases) had recurrence during the 100-month median follow-up (9-222). Misdiagnosis was more common in tumors less then 10 cm (p = 0.025). The under-diagnosis rate for tumors less then 10 cm was 30.8 %. Tumor size less then 10 cm was significantly associated with misdiagnosis in univariate and multivariate analyses (Odds ratio OR 4.