Antithrombotic Therapy by Regulating the ROS-Mediated Thrombosis Microenvironment and Specific Nonpharmaceutical Thrombolysis Using Prussian Blue Nanodroplets.

In thrombotic diseases, the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress as a "perpetrator" in thrombosis must be resolved. Accordingly, an insufficient understanding of thrombus therapy prompted the authors to pursue a more comprehensive and efficient antithrombotic treatment strategy. A Prussian blue (PB)-based nanodroplet system (PB-PFP@PC) is designed using PB and perfluorinated pentane (PFP) in the core, and a targeting peptide (CREKA, Cys-Arg-Glu-Lys-Ala) is attached to poly(lactic-coglycolic acid) (PLGA) as the delivery carrier shell. Upon near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, PB and PFP jointly achieve an unprecedented dual strategy for drug-free thrombolysis: photothermal therapy (PTT) combined with optical droplet vaporization (ODV). PB, a nanoenzyme, also regulates the vascular microenvironment via its antioxidant activity to continuously scavenge abnormally elevated ROS and correspondingly reduce inflammatory factors in the thrombus site. This study provides a demonstration of not only the potential of ODV in thrombus therapy but also the mechanism underlying PTT thrombolysis due to thermal ablation-induced fibrin network structural damage. Moreover, PB catalyzes ROS to generate oxygen (O2 ), which combines with the ODV effect, enhancing the ultrasound signal. Thus, regulation of the thrombosis microenvironment combined with specific nonpharmaceutical thrombolysis by PB nanodroplets provides a more comprehensive and efficient antithrombotic therapeutic strategy.

Novel recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone in aiding postoperative assessment of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer-phase I/II study.

PURPOSE: Thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) inevitably induced hypothyroidism in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH, ZGrhTSH) as an alternative of THW in China. METHODS: Totally, 64 DTC patients were enrolled with 24 in the dose-escalation cohort equally grouped into 0.9 mg × 1 day, 0.9 mg × 2 day, 1.8 mg × 1 day, and 1.8 mg × 2 day dosage, and 40 further enrolled into 0.9 mg × 2 day dose-expansion cohort. All patients underwent both ZGrhTSH phase and levothyroxine (L-T4) withdrawal phase for self-comparison in terms of TSH levels, the radioactive iodine (RAI) uptake, stimulated thyroglobulin level, and the quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: In ZGrhTSH phase, no major serious adverse events were observed, and mild symptoms of headache were observed in 6.3%, lethargy in 4.7%, and asthenia in 3.1% of the patients, and mostly resolved spontaneously within 2 days. Concordant RAI uptake was noticed in 89.1% (57/64) of the patients between ZGrhTSH and L-T4 withdrawal phases. The concordant thyroglobulin level with a cut-off of 1 µg/L was noticed in 84.7% (50/59) of the patients without the interference of anti-thyroglobulin antibody. The QoL was far better during ZGrhTSH phase than L-T4 withdrawal phase, with lower Billewicz (- 51.30 ± 4.70 vs. - 39.10 ± 16.61, P < 0.001) and POMS (91.70 ± 16.70 vs. 100.40 ± 22.11, P = 0.011) scores which indicate the lower the better. Serum TSH level rose from basal 0.11 ± 0.12 mU/L to a peak of 122.11 ± 42.44 mU/L 24 h after the last dose of ZGrhTSH. In L-T4 withdrawal phase, a median of 23 days after L-T4 withdrawal was needed, with the mean TSH level of 82.20 ± 31.37 mU/L. The half-life for ZGrhTSH clearance was about 20 h. CONCLUSION: The ZGrhTSH held the promise to be a safe and effective modality in facilitating RAI uptake and serum thyroglobulin stimulation, with better QoL of patients with DTC compared with L-T4 withdrawal.

A Secure Transmission Scheme Based on Artificial Fading for Wireless CrowdSensing Networks.

For secure transmission of low cost single antenna communication nodes in wireless crowdsensing networks under static channel, a physical layer communication scheme is proposed, where each digital modulated symbol is encrypted by a random key at the transmitter and decrypted with the same key at the receiver. The legal users exploit the synchronized chaotic sequence and the two-stage block interleaver to generate a complex random variable (random key), whereby its envelope obeys the Rayleigh distribution and its phase obeys the uniformly distribution. The modulated symbol is multiplied by the complex random variable (encryption) to imitate the Rayleigh fading of the channel at the transmitting end. The received symbol is divided by the identical complex random variable (decryption) to recover the transmitted message before the digital demodulation at the receiving end. Simulation results show that the bit error ratio (BER) performance of the legitimate users is consistent with the theoretical value of the Rayleigh fading channel, while the corresponding BER of the eavesdropper is too high (about 0.5) to intercept any information.

Colocalization of insulin and glucagon in insulinoma cells and developing pancreatic endocrine cells.

A significant portion of human and rat insulinomas coexpress multiple hormones. This character termed as multihormonality is also observed in some early pancreatic endocrine cells which coexpress insulin and glucagon, suggesting an incomplete differentiation status of both cells. Here we demonstrate that insulinoma cells INS-1 and INS-1-derived single cell clone INS-1-15 coexpressed insulin and glucagon in a portion of cells. These two hormones highly colocalized in the intracellular vesicles within a cell. Due to the existence of both PC1/3 and PC2 in INS-1-derived cells, proglucagon could be processed into glucagon, GLP-1 and GLP-2. These glucagon-family peptides and insulin were secreted simultaneously corresponding to the elevating glucose concentrations. The coexpression and partial colocalization of insulin and glucagon was also observed in rat fetal pancreatic endocrine cells, but the colocalization rate was generally lower and more diverse, suggesting that in the developing pancreatic endocrine cells, insulin and glucagon may be stored in nonidentical pools of secreting vesicles and might be secreted discordantly upon stimulus.

Bergapten promotes bone marrow stromal cell differentiation into osteoblasts in vitro and in vivo.

Many recent studies have suggested that bergapten (BP), a class of native compound with numerous biological activities such as anti-resorptive properties, may exert protective effects against postmenopausal bone loss. However, it remains unknown whether BP regulates or improves the osteogenic function of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. In our study, BMSCs were cultured in osteogenic induction medium with the addition of BP for 2 weeks and an ovariectomized mouse model of osteoporosis was used to investigate the anti-resorptive effect of BP by gavage administration for 3 months. The concentrations of BP used were 0.1, 1, and 10 µmol/L in vitro and the gavage dose was 20 mg/kg/d. The result of our study indicated that BP promotes the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by BMSCs in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, as revealed by ALP staining. Runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteocalcin were up-regulated both in vitro and vivo, while osterix and collagen Iα1, assessed by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, were correspondingly raised in the presence of BP in BMSCs in vitro. In addition, a protective effect of BP against ovariectomy-induced bone loss was found by distal femur micro-CT scanning, with improvements of bone metabolism parameters such as bone mineral density, trabecular number, and trabecular separation. Furthermore, WNT/ß-catenin signaling was activated in the presence of BP in BMSCs in osteogenic culture. Finally, BP promoted differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts by up-regulation of the WNT/ß-catenin pathway.

Age-related changes in behavior profile in male offspring of rats treated with poly I:C-induced maternal immune activation in early gestation.

BACKGROUND: Autism and schizophrenia are environmental risk factors associated with prenatal viral infection during pregnancy. It is still unclear whether behavior phenotypes change at different developmental stages in offspring following the activation of the maternal immune system. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats received a single caudal vein injection of 10 mg/kg polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) on gestational day 9 and the offspring were comprehensively tested for behaviors in adolescence and adulthood. RESULTS: Maternal serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α were elevated in poly I:C-treated dams. The offspring of maternal poly I:C-induced rats showed increased anxiety, impaired social approach, and progressive impaired cognitive and sensorimotor gating function. CONCLUSION: Maternal immune activation led to developmental specificity behavioral impairment in offspring.

Treatment of mixed and refractory post-tuberculosis tracheobronchial stenosis with L-shaped silicone stents: case series and a literature review.

The two patients included in the study had mixed and refractory post-tuberculosis tracheobronchial stenosis (PTTS), having experienced unsuccessful interventional therapies such as balloon dilation and V-shaped stent placement before the operation. Following the secure placement of L-shaped silicone stents, examinations with a fiberbronchoscope during the first and third months post-operation revealed a significant reduction in bronchial mucosa inflammation for both patients. Additionally, the opening diameter of the upper and lower branch segments increased, and chest CT scans indicated a noticeable absorption of left pulmonary lesions. Three months post-operation, fiberbronchoscopy confirmed the stable fixation of the stent without any movement. The patients exhibited substantial improvements in pulmonary function, dyspnea index, and blood gas analysis, with no reported adverse complications. After 7 months, a follow-up fiberbronchoscope for one case revealed excellent stent fixation. Simultaneously, the chest CT scan indicated favorable re-expansion. The placement of L-shaped silicone stents proves effective in preventing displacement, alleviating airway stenosis or obstruction, and ensuring the safety and efficacy of PTTS treatment - particularly in cases where V-shaped silicone stent placement has failed. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing the L-shaped silicone stent in two patients with PTTS.

Successful treatment of severe airway narrowing due to tuberculosis using special L-shaped silicone stentsThis article tells the story of two patients who suffered from a complex lung condition called post-tuberculosis tracheobronchial stenosis (PTTS). Imagine your airways - the tubes that carry air to your lungs - getting severely scarred and narrowed due to a past bout with tuberculosis. These two patients had tried previous treatments like balloon dilation (where a small balloon is inflated inside the narrowed airway to widen it) and using V-shaped stents (flexible supports placed in the airway to keep it open), but these methods didn't provide lasting relief. In this innovative approach, doctors used L-shaped silicone stents specifically designed to fit in the affected parts of the patients' airways. After placing these stents, regular checks showed remarkable improvements. The swelling in the airway lining reduced significantly, and the openings leading to the upper and lower parts of the lungs got wider. Chest X-rays (CT scans) even showed that the patient's left lung was healing well. Three months later, the stents stayed firmly in place, and neither patient experienced any problems. Breathing became easier, lung function tests improved, and blood tests showed better oxygen levels. Seven months down the line, one patient continued to do extremely well, with the stent securely fixed and the chest scan showing good lung expansion. This groundbreaking study shows that using L-shaped silicone stents can effectively treat PTTS when other methods fail. Not only do they stay in place, preventing blockages, but they also safely and effectively alleviate narrowing of the airways. It's the first time such L-shaped stents have been used successfully in PTTS patients, offering new hope for those facing similar challenges.

Genetic diversity of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in companion dogs and cats, Tianjin, China.

Background: Dogs and cats are the hosts of many vector-borne human pathogens that can be transmitted to humans. Given their direct and intimate contact with humans, companion dogs and cats are considered direct sentinels of vector-borne human pathogens. However, limited information is currently available regarding canine and feline zoonotic pathogens in China. This study detected canine and feline vector-borne human pathogens to better understand the potential risk to humans. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 275 domestic companion animals (117 dogs and 158 cats) living in Tianjin city, China, and the presence of DNA from Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, and Rickettsia was detected by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products of the expected size were sequenced, and these newly generated sequences were subjected to BLASTN, nucleotide identity, and phylogenetic analyses. Results: A total of 24 blood samples tested positive for vector-borne pathogens in companion dogs and cats in Tianjin city, China, with a relatively low positive rate of 8.7%. Specifically, seven human pathogens, including Rickettsia raoultii, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, Rickettsia sibirica, Rickettsia felis, Babesia venatorum, Bartonella tribocorum, and Bartonella Henselae, were identified. In addition, Anaplasma ovis with zoonotic potential and Candidatus A. cinensis were detected. Conclusion: Our results indicate substantial genetic diversity in the vector-borne human pathogens circulating in companion dogs and cats. Interventions based on "One Health" should be taken to reduce the potential risks of contracting infection from companion dogs and cats in Tianjin, China.

Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Rickettsia infections in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus), Hebei, China.

Rodents have been confirmed as hosts of various vector-borne zoonotic pathogens and are important for the maintenance of these microbes in nature. However, surveillance for zoonotic pathogens is limited for many wild rodent species in China, so our knowledge of pathogen ecology, genetic diversity, and the risk of cross-species transmission to humans is limited. In this study, 165 spleen samples of Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) were collected from Weichang Manchu and the Mongolian Autonomous County of Hebei Province, China, and Rickettsia, Bartonella, and Anaplasma were identified by DNA detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequence analysis identified eight bacterial pathogens: R. raoultii, R. sibirica, Candidatus R. longicornii, B. washoensis, B. grahamii, B. jaculi, A. capra, and Candidatus Anaplasma cinensis. Co-infection of B. grahamii and R. raoultii in one sample was observed. Our results demonstrated the genetic diversity of bacteria in Daurian ground squirrels and contributed to the distribution of these pathogens. Six species, A. capra, R. raoultii, R. sibirica, Candidatus R. longicornii, B. washoensis, and B. grahamii, are known to be pathogenic to humans, indicating a potential public health risk to the local human population, especially to herders who frequently have close contact with Daurian ground squirrels and are thus exposed to their ectoparasites.

The high performance parameterization for deep learning in pulse shaping.

In high energy physics, front-end data acquisition systems based on analog-to-digital converters (ADC) can provide multiple aspects (time, energy, position) of information when an incident particle is detected. To process the shaped semi-Gaussian pulses from ADCs, multi-layer neural networks (aka. deep learning recently) show excellent accuracy and promising real-time capability. However, several factors, such as sampling rate and precision, neural network quantization bits, and intrinsic noise, complicate the problem and make it hard to find a cost-effective solution with high performance. In this article, we analyze above factors in a systematic way to study the effect of each one on the performance of the network individually when other factors are controlled. Moreover, the proposed network architecture can provide both the time and energy information from a single pulse. When the sampling rate is 2.5 MHz, sampling precision is 5-bit, the network tested in this work with an 8-bit encoder and a 16-bit decoder (designated as N2) achieved the best comprehensive performance in all conditions.

Magnetic Response Combined with Bioactive Ion Therapy: A RONS-Scavenging Theranostic Nanoplatform for Thrombolysis and Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Currently, the limited efficacy of antithrombotic treatments is attributed to the inadequacy of pure drugs and the low ability of drugs to target the thrombus site. More importantly, timely thrombolysis is essential to reduce the sequelae of cardiovascular disease, but ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) remains a major challenge that must be solved after blood flow recovery. Herein, a multifunctional therapeutic nanoparticle (NP) based on Fe3O4 and strontium ions encapsulated in mesoporous polydopamine was successfully constructed and then loaded with TNK-tPA (FeM@Sr-TNK NPs). The NPs (59.9 min) significantly prolonged the half-life of thrombolytic drugs, which was 3.04 times that of TNK (19.7 min), and they had good biological safety. The NPs were shown to pass through vascular models with different inner diameters, curvatures, and stenosis under magnetic targeting and to enable accurate diagnosis of thrombi by photoacoustic imaging. NPs combined with the magnetic hyperthermia technique were used to accelerate thrombolysis and quickly open blocked blood vessels. Then, renal IRI-induced functional metabolic disorder and tissue damage were evidently attenuated by scavenging toxic reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and through the protective effects of bioactive ion therapy, including reduced apoptosis, increased angiogenesis, and inhibited fibrosis. In brief, we constructed a multifunctional nanoplatform for integrating a "diagnosis-therapy-protection" approach to achieve comprehensive management from thrombus to renal IRI, promoting the advancement of related technologies.

Prevalence and Profiles of Late-Onset Hearing Loss in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Passed Newborn Hearing Screening in a South East Asian Population.

Prevalence of hearing loss in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is uncertain, as it is more challenging to assess hearing function in children with developmental difficulties (DD). We aimed to determine the prevalence and profiles of hearing loss in preschool children with ASD in a Southeast-Asian population who passed newborn hearing screening. A retrospective study of preschool children with DD (ASD, Global Developmental Delay (GDD), and Speech and Language Delay (SLD)) attending the Child Development Unit (CDU) at our hospital was performed. Three hundred and thirty-three children (ASD: n = 129; GDD: n = 110; and SLD: n = 94) underwent hearing assessments. Of these, 10.8% of children (n = 36, comprising 15 with ASD, 12 with GDD and 9 with SLD) had confirmed hearing loss. Hearing loss was predominantly bilateral in children with ASD and GDD; in those with SLD, unilateral and bilateral hearing loss were equally common. Conductive hearing loss occurred as frequently as sensorineural hearing loss in children with ASD and SLD, but was the dominant subtype in those with GDD. Moderate to severe hearing loss (n = 2) was noted only in children with ASD. Children with ASD and GDD required significantly more audiology visits and procedures to obtain conclusive hearing test results, compared to those with SLD. The need to identify hearing loss and monitor for resolution is particularly important in vulnerable populations with communication deficits, such as in those with ASD.

Magnet-Guided Bionic System with LIFU Responsiveness and Natural Thrombus Tropism for Enhanced Thrombus-Targeting Ability.

Background: Arterial thrombosis is a serious threat to human health. Recently, many thrombus-targeted nanoparticles (NPs) have been constructed for detecting thrombi or monitoring thrombolysis, but their thrombus-targeting performance is limited. Considering this drawback, we designed a specific bionic system with enhanced thrombus-targeting ability. Materials and Methods: In the bionic system, gelatin was chosen as a carrier, and Fe3O4 served as a magnetic navigation medium and a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging agent. The CREKA peptide, which targets fibrin, was conjugated to the surface of gelatin to prepare targeted NPs (TNPs), which were then engulfed by macrophages to construct the bionic system. At the targeted site, the bionic system released its interior TNPs under low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) irradiation. Moreover, the targeting performance was further improved by the conjugated CREKA peptide. Results: In this study, we successfully constructed a bionic system and demonstrated its targeting ability in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that most TNPs were released from macrophages under LIFU irradiation at 2 W/cm2 for 10 min in vitro. Additionally, the enhanced thrombus-targeting ability, based on the natural tropism of macrophages toward inflammatory thrombi, magnetic navigation and the CREKA peptide, was verified ex vivo and in vivo. Moreover, compared with the bionic system group, the group treated with TNPs had significantly decreased liver and spleen signals in MR images and significantly enhanced liver and spleen signals in fluorescence images, indicating that the bionic system is less likely to be cleared by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) than TNPs, which may promote the accumulation of the bionic system at the site of the thrombus. Conclusion: These results suggest that the magnet-guided bionic system with LIFU responsiveness is an excellent candidate for targeting thrombi and holds promise as an innovative drug delivery system for thrombolytic therapy.

A theranostic metallodrug modulates immunovascular crosstalk to combat immunosuppressive liver cancer.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant, fatal disease with a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) characterized by severe immunosuppression and malformed vascular structures, thus most advanced HCC patients do not respond well to current mainstream pharmacotherapy and T-cell-related immunotherapy. Therefore, an efficient immunovascular crosstalk modulation strategy may help combat HCC by reversing immunosuppression and vessel normalization, especially by reprogramming tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). In this study, tyrosine kinase inhibitor lenvatinib (Len) was loaded into mesoporous Fe3O4 (mFe) nanoparticles (NPs), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was attached to the NP surface to produce a metallodrug (BSA-mFe@Len NPs). In acidic TME, BSA allowed pH-responsive Len release and mFe exposure. Len directly triggered HCC apoptosis and changed the abnormal TME via vessel normalization, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte recruitment, and regulatory T-cell elimination at tailored dosages. After TAM phagocytosis, mFe NPs reprogrammed TAMs into M1 phenotypes to synergistically amplify antitumor immunity. The metallodrug achieved significant tumor growth inhibition, induced tumor vessel normalization effects, and acquired instant antitumor immunity as well as long-term immune memory in vivo. Furthermore, it displayed good T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging performance, indicating potential theranostic applications. Collectively, this research provides new insights for unleashing the multifaceted potential of current pharmaceuticals in synergy with metallic nanomedicine for treating intractable liver cancer. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Current pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy have limited success in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to its complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Hence, this work first put forward a theranostic metallodrug by loading lenvatinib (Len) into mesoporous Fe3O4 (mFe) nanoparticles (NPs) and coating a pH-degradable bovine serum albumin corona onto the surface. The metallodrug was able to modulate immunovascular TME for combating HCC via metalloimmunotherapy induced by the mFe NPs and Len's multiple functions (direct triggering of tumor apoptosis, vessel normalization, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte recruitment, and regulatory T-cell elimination). In vivo experiments showed that the metallodrug could significantly inhibit HCC growth and evoke long-term antitumor immune memory, paving a new avenue for treating advanced HCC patients.

A Synergistic and Efficient Thrombolytic Nanoplatform: A Mechanical Method of Blasting Combined with Thrombolytic Drugs.

Background and Objective: Thrombosis is a common disease that poses a great threat to life and health. Most thrombolytic effects of traditional treatments or nanomedicine are not efficient or safe enough. Therefore, we designed a nanoparticle (NP) with a combination of a phase transition material and thrombolytic drugs for efficient and safe thrombolysis. Methods: A thrombus fibrin-targeted and phase transition NP was designed and contained perfluorohexane (PFH) and the thrombolytic drug rtPA core, with CREKA polypeptides attached to the shell of the PLGA NPs. Characterization of the phase transition and ultrasound imaging of the NPs was carried out under low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU). LIFU-responsive drug release in vitro was also explored. Under the synergistic effect of PFH and rtPA, the efficient thrombolysis ability of the NPs was studied in vitro and in vivo. In vivo monitoring of thrombosis and biosafety were also verified. Results: The PPrC NPs had good ultrasound imaging ability under LIFU irradiation and were related to the phase transition characteristics of the NPs. CREKA polypeptides can effectively increase the aggregation of the NPs on thrombi. Under static and dynamic conditions in vitro, the "liquid to gas" transformation effect of PFH can perform the destruction function of the excavator at the thrombus site and promote the specific release of rtPA, and the subsequent rtPA drug thrombolysis can further fully dissolve the thrombus. In vivo experiments showed that the NPs can monitor the formation of thrombi and have good thrombolytic effects, with significantly reduced bleeding side effects. The biochemical indexes of the rats were within normal limits after treatment. Conclusion: PPrC NPs loaded with PFH and rtPA combining a mechanical way of blasting with thrombolytic drugs may be a promising new and reliable approach for thrombus monitoring and treatment.

Smooth muscle actin immunostain is useful for the diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis in vaginal smears.

OBJECTIVE: The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) causes one of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infections in humans. T. vaginalis is notorious for its inconspicuous appearance in vaginal smears. It can be missed under the microscope. METHOD: In the present study, we investigate the immunoreactivity of T. vaginalis to smooth muscle actin (SMA) in the vaginal smear. RESULT: T. vaginalis trophozoite and pseduocyst are immunoreactive for SMA in all of the study group cases (n = 21) and in none of the control group cases (n = 21). Thus, SMA immunostain is a sensitive method for the demonstration of T. vaginalis. Moreover, the protozoan attains a conspicuous and unique appearance. By SMA immunohistochemical stain, the apperance of T. vaginalis floated freely or located in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells is easily identified. CONCLUSION: We recommend performing SMA immunostain in every vaginal smear with clinical or pathologic suspicion of trichomoniasis.

Bioassay of estrogenic activity of effluent and influent in a farm wastewater treatment plant using an in vitro recombinant assay with yeast cells.

OBJECTIVE: Environmental estrogens at an elevated concentration are known to produce adverse effects on human and animal life. However, the majority of researches have been focused on industrial discharges, while the impact of livestock wastes as a source of endocrine disrupters in aquatic environments has been rarely elucidated. In order to investigate the contribution of environmental estrogens from livestock, the estrogenic activity in water samples from a farm wastewater treatment plant was analyzed by a recombinant yeast screening method. METHODS: The extracts prepared from 15 selected water samples from the farm wastewater treatment plant, among which 6 samples were from pre-treatment section (influents) and 9 from post-treatment section (effluents), were analyzed for estrogenic activity by cellar bioassay. Yeast cells transfected with the expression plasmid of human estrogen receptor and the Lac Z reporter plasmid encoding beta-galactossidase, were used to measure the estrogen-like compounds in the farm wastewater treatment plant. RESULTS: The wastewater samples from influents showed a higher estrogenic potency than the effluent samples showing a low induction of beta-galactossidase relative to solvent control condition. By comparison with a standard curve for 17 beta-estradiol (E2), estrogenic potency in water samples from the influents was calculated as E2-equivalent and ranged from 0.1 to 150 pM E2-equivalent. The estrogenic potency in water samples from the effluents was significantly lower than that in the influents, and 7 water samples had less detectable limit in the total of 9 samples. CONCLUSION: Yeast bioassay of estrogenic activity in most of the samples from the farm wastewater after disposal by traditional sewage treatment showed negative results.

Consistent Between-Individual Differences in Foraging Performance in a Floriphilic Katydid in Response to Different Choices.

The neural constraint hypothesis is one of the central ideas for the understanding of insect-plant interaction but there are still knowledge gaps in the data for foraging behavior and the performance of herbivores, and particularly florivores. We used a floriphilic katydid, Phaneroptera brevis (Serville, 1838) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) and a naturalized weed, Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae) in caged experiments in an insectary to answer these questions: 1) How does the foraging performance of the floriphilic katydid vary when exposed to a choice in the number of capitula and types of florets of B. pilosa? 2) Does the foraging performance of the katydid, when exposed to multiple choices, improve with time, and are between-individual differences in foraging performance consistent? We observed that having more choices in the floret types and number of capitula is generally associated with a reduced foraging performance of the katydids. Floret types and number of capitula, however, did not have an interactive effect on foraging performance. We also found that the differences in foraging performance in response to choice tend to be consistent between katydids but each katydid became more efficient and decisive over time. That learning and experience can improve the foraging performance of the katydid has provided us with some insights as to how a continuum of efficient and inefficient katydids can be maintained in a population.

Pseudo-hemorrhagic region formation in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors is a result of blood vessel dilation followed by endothelial cell detachment.

Aberrant blood vessel formation and hemorrhage may contribute to tumor progression and are potential targets in the treatment of several types of cancer. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are highly vascularized, particularly when they are well-differentiated. However, the process of vascularization and endothelial cell detachment in PNETs is poorly understood. In the present study, 132 PNET clinical samples were examined and a special type of hemorrhagic region was observed in ~30% of the samples regardless of tumor subtype. These hemorrhagic regions were presented as blood-filled caverns with a smooth boundary and were unlined by endothelial cells. Based on the extensive endothelial cell detachment observed in the clinical samples, the formation process of these blood-filled caverns was hypothesized. Blood vessel dilation followed by detachment of endothelial cells from the surrounding tumor tissue was speculated. This was further supported using an INS-1 xenograft insulinoma model. As the formation process was distinct from the typical diffusive hemorrhage, it was named 'pseudo-hemorrhage'. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that epithelial (E-) cadherin and ß-catenin were overexpressed in tumor cells surrounding these pseudo-hemorrhagic regions. Therefore, even though no statistically significant association of pseudo-hemorrhage with clinical features (metastasis or disease recurrence) was identified, the high levels of E-cadherin and ß-catenin expression may suggest that a number of features of normal islet cells are retained.