Infectious Spondylitis Caused by Streptococcus gordonii.

Infectious spondylitis is a rare but severe disease of the spine caused by bacteria or other pathogens. Particularly in immunocompromised patients, a definitive source of infection often remains uncertain. Among many pathogens, Streptococcus gordonii, a normal oral flora, is a very rare pathogen in infectious spondylitis. Only a few articles have reported infectious spondylitis caused by Streptococcus gordonii. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of surgically treated infectious spondylitis caused by Streptococcus gordonii. Hence, in the current report, we present the case of a 76-year-old woman with known type 2 diabetes who was transferred to our medical center due to infectious spondylitis caused by Streptococcus gordonii following an L1 compression fracture and underwent an operation for treatment.

Dissemination or participation? Exploring scientists' definitions and science communication goals in the Netherlands.

The field of science communication has grown considerably over the past decade, and so have the number of scientific writings on what science communication is and how it should be practiced. The multitude of theoretisations and models has led to a lack of clarity in defining science communication, and to a highly popularised-and theorised-rhetorical shift from deficit to dialogue and participation. With this study, we aim to remediate the absence of research into what science communication is, for scientists themselves. We also investigate whether the transition towards dialogue and participation is reflected in the goals scientists identify as important to their science communication efforts, both in a general and a social media context. For this, we analyse survey data collected from scientists in the Netherlands using thematic qualitative analysis and statistical analysis. Our results reveal six main dimensions of science communication as defined by our respondents. The 584 definitions we analyse demonstrate a focus on a one-way process of transmission and translation of scientific results and their impacts towards a lay audience, via mostly traditional media channels, with the goals of making science more accessible, of educating audiences, and of raising awareness about science. In terms of the goals identified as most important by scientists in the Netherlands, we find goals aligned with the deficit and dialogue models of science communication to be the most important. Overall, our findings suggest we should be cautious in the face of recent claims that we live in a new era of dialogue, transparency, and participation in the realm of science communication.

Imbalance between dopamine and serotonin caused by neonatal habenula lesion.

Alterations in dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) transmission have been implicated in the pathophysiology of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We have previously reported that juvenile rats with neonatal habenula lesion (NHL) exhibit an assortment of behavioral alterations resembling ADHD symptoms. In this study, we investigated the impacts of NHL on DA and 5-HT transmission in mesocorticolimbic regions of rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with microinjection of ibotenic acid into the habenula at postnatal day (PND) 7 were subjected for a battery of locomotion test, object exploration test and delay discounting test in the juvenile period (PND28-35), followed by DA and 5-HT brain tissue concentration measurements using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). NHL rats exhibited hyperlocomotion, impulsivity, and attention deficits. NHL induced alterations of tissue DA and 5-HT concentrations only in some mesocorticolimbic regions. However, positive correlations, indicating the balance, between DA and 5-HT observed in control (CTR) rats, were more extensively disrupted across mesocorticolimbic regions in NHL rats. Pharmacological manipulations that modulated both DA and 5-HT systems simultaneously with Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and its active compound formononetin (FOR) normalized the NHL-induced DA and 5-HT imbalance in several brain areas, which consequently improved the behavioral alterations. These results suggest that behavioral alterations caused by NHL may be associated with mesocorticolimbic DA/5-HT imbalance. Drug treatments targeting multiple monoamine systems may be useful to improve the NHL-induced changes.

Determination of Afzelin and Astragalin from Lespedeza cuneata on Aldose Reductase Inhibition.

The bioactive chemicals in L. cuneata were investigated by repeated column chromatography and their effect on aldose reductase (AR), obtained from rat lenses, was examined. Results showed that the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of L. cuneata exhibited potential inhibitory effect against AR with IC50 values of 0.57 and 0.49 µg/mL, respectively. Phytochemical analysis of these two fractions resulted in the isolation of five flavonoids namely, acacetin (1), afzelin (2), astragalin (3), kaempferol (4) and scutellarein 7-O-glucoside (5). The AR inhibitory effect of compounds 1-5 was explored; compounds 2, 3 and 5 showed potential AR-inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 2.20, 1.91 and 12.87 µM, respectively. Quantitative analysis of afzelin (2) and astragalin (3) in L. cuneata by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection revealed its content to be 0.722-11.828 and 2.054-7.006 mg/g, respectively. Overall, this study showed that L. cuneata is rich in flavonoids with promising AR-inhibitory activities, which can be utilized for the development of natural therapies for treating and managing diabetic complications.

Optimization of Extraction Conditions of Continentalic and Kaurenoic Acids from Aralia continentalis by HPLC/UV and Their Validation.

Aralia continentalis (AC) is a perennial herb that has long been used as a traditional medicine for many diseases. Continentalic acid (CA) and kaurenoic acid (KA) are major diterpenoids in AC, which are known to exert various pharmacological activities. This study focuses on the optimization of the extraction of CA and KA from dried AC roots by evaluating the influence of different extraction conditions on their yield. Five extraction variables were examined: sample weight, solvent concentration, extraction time, solid matrix and the number of repeated extractions. The analytical method used in this study was also validated in terms of linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision and accuracy. The CA and KA yields were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The results show that CA and KA were the highest when unpulverized samples (3.75 g) were subjected to a single extraction for 5 h using 50% ethanol (300 mL) as the solvent. These conditions are proposed for the optimization of the extraction of CA and KA from AC.

The Study of Health-Related Fitness Normative Scores for Nepalese Older Adults.

Physical fitness tests are important to maintain and promote the health status of people. The purpose of this study was to develop health-related fitness evaluation norms according to the age and gender of Nepalese older adults. One thousand nine subjects (449 males, 560 females) above 60 years, residing in 19 wards (rural and urban) of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City participated in this study. The test included the PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire), social aspects questionnaire, blood pressure test, height, weight, BMI (body mass index), percent body fat, and four physical fitness components (grip strength, 1-minute sit-to-stand, sit and reach, and 2-minute step tests). Mean, SD, and fitness evaluation norms for each component were obtained after the main test and statistical analyses. This study showed higher BMI and percent body fat in female age groups than in male age groups. Grip strength, relative grip strength, sit-to-stand, and 2-minute steps scores were better in male age groups than in female age groups, but in contrast, flexibility was better in female age groups. This study may help the related sectors to assess physical fitness, identify fitness levels, and develop appropriate physical activities or exercise programs for older adults based on age.

The E-Cigarette Debate: What Counts as Evidence?

Two major public health evaluations of e-cigarettes-one from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), the other from Public Health England (PHE)-were issued back to back in the winter of 2018. While some have read these analyses as broadly consistent, providing support for the view that e-cigarettes could play a role in smoking harm reduction, in every major respect, they come to very different conclusions about what the evidence suggests in terms of public health policy. How is that possible? The explanation rests in what the 2 reports see as the central challenge posed by e-cigarettes, which helped to determine what counted as evidence. For NASEM, the core question was how to protect nonsmokers from the potential risks of exposure to nicotine and other contaminants or from the risk of smoking combustible cigarettes through renormalization. A precautionary standard was imperative, making evidence that could speak most conclusively to the question of causality paramount. For PHE, the priority was how to reduce the burdens now borne by current smokers, burdens reflected in measurable patterns of morbidity and mortality. With a focus on immediate harms, PHE turned to evidence that was "relevant and meaningful." Thus, competing priorities determined what counted as evidence when it came to the impact of e-cigarettes on current smokers, nonsmoking bystanders, and children and adolescents. A new clinical trial demonstrating the efficacy of e-cigarettes as a cessation tool makes understanding how values and framing shape core questions and conclusive evidence imperative.

Enhanced light extraction from organic light-emitting diodes using a quasi-periodic nano-structure.

Organic light-emitting diodes with a quasi-periodic nano-structure (QPS) were fabricated via a combination of laser interference lithography (LIL) and reactive ion etching (RIE). The LIL process was used to generate a periodic pattern, whereas the RIE process was used as a supplement to add randomness to the periodic pattern. The period of the fabricated periodic pattern was determined by finite difference time domain solutions. The height and density of the QPS were controlled by the RIE etching time and were optimized. The resulting quasi-periodic nanostructure comprised silicon dioxide (SiO2) with a low refractive index (n = 1.4-1.5), and an external quantum efficiency enhancement of 18% was achieved using the QPS device, without any viewing angle problems or spectral distortion, which are serious drawbacks of periodic patterns.

Nano-arrayed OLEDs: enhanced outcoupling efficiency and suppressed efficiency roll-off.

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with an enhanced outcoupling efficiency and a suppressed efficiency roll-off were fabricated by inserting a nanosize pixel-defining layer (nPDL) that defines the OLED emission region as an array of nanoholes. The outcoupling efficiency of the nano-arrayed OLEDs was increased through the reduced surface plasmon polariton loss caused by the wavy diffraction grating at the metal-organic interface, and their efficiency roll-off was suppressed through the diffusive exciton outside the exciton-formation zone. As a result, the nano-arrayed OLEDs exhibited enhancements of 148.7% in the power efficiency and 137.0% in the external quantum efficiency at 1000 cd m-2 compared with a reference device. Furthermore, the critical current density (J0) where the external quantum efficiency decreased to half of its initial value was improved by a factor of 2.5.

(-)-9'-O-(α-l-Rhamnopyranosyl)lyoniresinol from Lespedeza cuneata suppresses ovarian cancer cell proliferation through induction of apoptosis.

Lespedeza cuneata (Dum. Cours.) G. Don. (Fabaceae), known as Chinese bushclover or sericea lespedeza, has been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes, hematuria, and insomnia, and it has been reported that bioactive compounds from L. cuneata possess various pharmacological properties. However, there has been no study to determine the active compounds from L. cuneata with potential activity against ovarian cancer. This study aimed to isolate cytotoxic compounds from L. cuneata and identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptosis pathway in ovarian cancer cells. Based on cytotoxic activity identified in the screening test, chemical investigation of the active fraction of L. cuneata led to the isolation of nine compounds including four lignanosides (1-4), three flavonoid glycosides (5-7), and two phenolics (8-9). Cytotoxicity and the molecular mechanism were examined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and Western blot analysis. Of the isolated compounds, (-)-9'-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)lyoniresinol (3) demonstrated the strongest effect in suppressing A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 35.40 ±â€¯2.78 µM. Control A2780 cells had normal morphology, whereas cell blebbing, shrinkage, and condensation were observed after treatment with compound 3. Western blotting analysis showed that compound 3 inhibited A2780 human ovarian cancer cell viability by activating caspase-8, caspase-3, and PARP, which contributed to apoptotic cell death. These results suggest that (-)-9'-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)lyoniresinol (3) has potent anticancer activities against A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells through the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Therefore, (-)-9'-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)lyoniresinol is an excellent candidate for the development of novel chemotherapeutics.

Preparation Method of Crack-free PVDF Microfiltration Membrane with Enhanced Antifouling Characteristics.

This study proposes a method to prepare a crack-free poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) microfiltration (MF) membrane with enhanced antifouling property. In the study, blending 4% poly(vinylidene fluoride)-graft-poly(sulfopropyl methacrylate) (PVDF-g-PSPMA) and 1.5% potassium perchlorate (KClO4) led to crack prevention during membrane preparation via nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS) when compared with blending with 4% PVDF-g-PSPMA only (without KClO4). The resulting crack-free membrane (A3) had both smooth surface structure and hydrophilicity in comparison with pristine PVDF membrane (A1). In addition, blending with PVDF-g-PSPMA and KClO4 also allowed the A3 membrane to exhibit uniform pore size distribution (PSD) and smooth surface structure, compared with PVDF membrane commercially available from company "M" in Germany. The aforementioned properties led to antifouling characteristics in the crack-free membrane (A3). According to flux performances, flux recovery and cumulative permeate volume (between 120 and 240 min) of crack-free membrane (A3) were 11.41 and 17.41% superior to those of commercial membrane, respectively.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel deguelin-based heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors targeting proliferation and angiogenesis.

Deguelin exhibits potent apoptotic and antiangiogenic activities in a variety of transformed cells and cancer cells. Deguelin also exhibits potent tumor suppressive effects in xenograft tumor models for many human cancers. Our initial studies confirmed that deguelin disrupts ATP binding to HSP90 and consequently induces destabilization of its client proteins such as HIF-1α. Interestingly, a fluorescence probe assay revealed that deguelin and its analogues do not compete with ATP binding to the N-terminus of HSP90, unlike most HSP90 inhibitors. To determine the key parts of deguelin that contribute to its potent HSP90 inhibition, as well as its antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities, we have established a structure-activity relationship (SAR) of deguelin. In the course of these studies, we identified a series of novel and potent HSP90 inhibitors. In particular, analogues 54 and 69, the B- and C-ring-truncated compounds, exhibited excellent antiproliferative activities with IC(50) of 140 and 490 nM in the H1299 cell line, respectively, and antiangiogenic activities in zebrafish embryos in a dose dependent manner (0.25-1.25 µM).

Simulating nursing unit performance with OrgAhead: strengths and challenges.

In this article, we briefly describe our use of a computational modeling tool, OrgAhead, details of which have been reported previously, then discuss several of the challenges computational modeling presented and our solutions. We used OrgAhead to simulate 39 nursing units in 13 Arizona hospitals and then predict changes to improve overall patient quality and safety outcomes. Creating the virtual units required (1) collecting data from managers, staff, patients, and quality and information services on each of the units; (2) mapping specific data elements (eg, control over nursing practice, nursingworkload, patient complexity, turbulence, orientation/tenure, education) to OrgAhead's parameters and variables; and then (3) validating that the newly created virtual units performed functionally like the actual units (eg, actual patient medication errors and fall rates correlated with the accuracy outcome variable in OrgAhead). Validation studies demonstrated acceptable correspondence between actual and virtual units. For all but the highest performing unit, we generated strategies that improved virtual performance and could reasonably be implemented on actual units to improve outcomes. Nurse managers, to whom we reported the results, responded positively to the unit-specific recommendations, which other methods cannot provide. In the end, resolving the modeling challenges we encountered has improved OrgAhead's functionality and usability.