Health care-associated infections after surgical treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is catastrophic, and microsurgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms is one of the preventive modalities for rebleeding. However, patients remain at high risk of medical morbidities after surgery, one of the most important of which is health care-associated infections (HAIs). We analyzed the incidence and risk factors of HAIs, as well as their association with the outcomes after surgical treatment of ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 607 patients with SAH who had undergone surgery for intracranial aneurysms. Information was retrieved from the database using codes of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. RESULTS: Of the 607 patients, 203 were male and 404 were female. HAIs occurred in 113 patients, accounting for 18.6 % of the population. The independent risk factors for HAIs included age ((p = 0.035), hypertension ((p = 0.042), convulsion ((p = 0.023), external ventricular drain ((p = 0.035), ventricular shunt ((p = 0.033), and blood transfusion ((p = 0.001). The mean length of hospital stay was 25.3 ± 18.2 and 18.8 ± 15.3 days for patients with and without HAIs, respectively ((p = 0.001). The in-hospital mortality rates were 11.5 % in the HAIs group, and 14.0 % in the non-HAIs group ((p = 0.490). CONCLUSION: HAIs are a frequent complication in patients with SAH who underwent surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The length of hospital stay is remarkably longer for patients with HAIs, and to recognize and reduce the modifiable risks should be implemented to improve the quality of patient care.

Long-term survival after primary decompressive craniectomy for severe traumatic brain injury: an observational study from 1 to 17 years.

Primary decompressive craniectomy (DC) is carried out to prevent intracranial hypertension after removal of mass lesions resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI). While primary DC can be a life-saving intervention, significant mortality risks persist during the follow-up period. This study was undertaken to investigate the long-term survival rate and ascertain the risk factors of mortality in TBI patients who underwent primary DC. We enrolled 162 head-injured patients undergoing primary DC in this retrospective study. The primary focus was on long-term mortality, which was monitored over a range of 12 to 209 months post-TBI. We compared the clinical parameters of survivors and non-survivors, and used a multivariate logistic regression model to adjust for independent risk factors of long-term mortality. For the TBI patients who survived the initial hospitalization period following surgery, the average duration of follow-up was 106.58 ± 65.45 months. The recorded long-term survival rate of all patients was 56.2% (91/162). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval = 1.12, 1.07-1.18; p < 0.01) and the status of basal cisterns (absent versus normal; odds ratio, 95% confidence interval = 9.32, 2.05-42.40; p < 0.01) were the two independent risk factors linked to long-term mortality. In conclusion, this study indicated a survival rate of 56.2% for patients subjected to primary DC for TBI, with at least a one-year follow-up. Key risk factors associated with long-term mortality were advanced age and absent basal cisterns, critical considerations for developing effective TBI management strategies.

How Impulsivity is Associated with Adolescent Depression: The Role of Substance Use, Gender and Social Support.

Background: Some risk/protective factors of adolescent depression have been proposed but have not been comprehensively studied. Recent advances in neuroimaging techniques have provided greater insight into the underlying neuropsychiatric mechanisms of depression-related factors such as impulsivity, substance use, gender difference and social support. However, how these factors are interconnected and how they affect depression in the real world is poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the relationships between adolescent depression with trait impulsivity, substance use and gender. We also tested the hypothesis that social support may play a buffering role in preventing depression. By expanding the diathesis-stress model. Methods: The adolescents enrolled in this study were grade 1 senior high school students from northern Taiwan (N = 5879), and they were assessed for depression, trait impulsivity, and tobacco/alcohol use. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was performed to control possible confounders, including other depression-related diathesis and sociodemographic variables. Gender differences were also analyzed by separately examining variables significantly associated with depression. Results: A higher level of depression was associated with female gender, trait impulsivity, low self-esteem, negative attitude towards the future, tobacco use, alcohol use, family discord and difficulty in basic family needs. Good parental health, living with their biological family and social support were protective factors. Trait impulsivity was significantly associated with depression after controlling for the confounding factors. Gender-specific analysis showed that trait impulsivity and tobacco use had a significant synergistic interaction on female depression. Social support from parents/peers was significantly associated with depression, but social support from other family members/teachers was not. Conclusion: The current study advances the understanding of adolescent depression and highlights that trait impulsivity, addictive substance use, social support and their interaction may play an influential role in the emergence of adolescent depression. Gender-specific research and treatment approach are also crucial, and more investigations are necessary.

Regulation of PGC-1α of the Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism Pathway in the Gills of Indian Medaka (Oryzias dancena) under Hypothermal Stress.

Ectothermic fish exposure to hypothermal stress requires adjusting their metabolic molecular machinery, which was investigated using Indian medaka (Oryzias dancena; 10 weeks old, 2.5 ± 0.5 cm) cultured in fresh water (FW) and seawater (SW; 35‱) at room temperature (28 ± 1 °C). The fish were fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, and the photoperiod was 12 h:12 h light: dark. In this study, we applied two hypothermal treatments to reveal the mechanisms of energy metabolism via pgc-1α regulation in the gills of Indian medaka; cold-stress (18 °C) and cold-tolerance (extreme cold; 15 °C). The branchial ATP content was significantly higher in the cold-stress group, but not in the cold-tolerance group. In FW- and SW-acclimated medaka, the expression of genes related to mitochondrial energy metabolism, including pgc-1α, prc, Nrf2, tfam, and nd5, was analyzed to illustrate differential responses of mitochondrial energy metabolism to cold-stress and cold-tolerance environments. When exposed to cold-stress, the relative mRNA expression of pgc-1α, prc, and Nrf2 increased from 2 h, whereas that of tfam and nd5 increased significantly from 168 h. When exposed to a cold-tolerant environment, prc was significantly upregulated at 2 h post-cooling in the FW and SW groups, and pgc-1α was significantly upregulated at 2 and 12 h post-cooling in the FW group, while tfam and nd5 were downregulated in both FW and SW fish. Hierarchical clustering revealed gene interactions in the cold-stress group, which promoted diverse mitochondrial energy adaptations, causing an increase in ATP production. However, the cold-tolerant group demonstrated limitations in enhancing ATP levels through mitochondrial regulation via the PGC-1α energy metabolism pathway. These findings suggest that ectothermic fish may develop varying degrees of thermal tolerance over time in response to climate change. This study provides insights into the complex ways in which fish adjust their metabolism when exposed to cold stress, contributing to our knowledge of how they adapt.

Salinity effects on expression and localization of aquaporin 3 in gills of the euryhaline milkfish (Chanos chanos).

Milkfish (Chanos chanos) are important euryhaline fish in Southeast Asian countries that can tolerate a wide range of salinity changes. Previous studies have revealed that milkfish have strong ion regulation and survival abilities under osmotic stress. In addition to ion regulation, water homeostasis in euryhaline teleosts is important during environmental salinity shifts. Aquaporins (AQP) are vital water channels in fish, and different AQPs can transport water influx or outflux from the body. AQP3 is one of the AQP channels, and the function of AQP3 in the gills of euryhaline milkfish is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and localization of AQP3 in the gills of euryhaline milkfish to contribute to our understanding of the physiological role and localization of AQP3 in fish. The AQP3 sequence was found in the milkfish next-generation sequencing (NGS) database and is mainly distributed in the gills of freshwater (FW)-acclimated milkfish. Under hypoosmotic and hyperosmotic stress, the osmolality of milkfish immediately shifted, similar to the aqp3 gene expression. Moreover, the abundance of AQP3 protein significantly decreased 3 h after transferring milkfish from FW to seawater (SW). However, there was no change within 7 days when the milkfish experienced hypoosmotic stress. Moreover, double immunofluorescence staining of milkfish gills showed that AQP3 colocalized with Na+ /K+ ATPase at the basolateral membrane of ionocytes. These results combined indicate that milkfish have a strong osmoregulation ability under acute osmotic stress because of the quick shift in the gene and protein expression of AQP3 in their gills.

Salinity-dependent changes in branchial morphometry and Na+ , K+ -ATPase responses of euryhaline Asian sea bass, Lates calcarifer.

Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer Bloch, 1790) is a euryhaline fish widely cultured in Asia and Australia. Although it is common to culture Asian sea bass at different salinities, osmoregulatory responses of Asian sea bass during acclimation to various salinities have not been fully observed. In this study, we used scanning electron microscopy to observe the morphology of the ionocyte apical membrane of Asian sea bass acclimated to fresh water (FW), 10‰ brackish water (BW10), 20‰ brackish water (BW20), and seawater (SW; 35‰). Three types of ionocytes were identified in FW and BW fish: (I) flat type with microvilli, (II) basin type with microvilli, and (III) small- hole type. Flat type I ionocytes were also observed in the lamellae of the FW fish. In contrast, two types of ionocytes were identified in SW fish: (III) small-hole type and (IV) big-hole type. Furthermore, we observed Na+ , K+ -ATPase (NKA) immunoreactive cells in the gills, which represent the localization of ionocytes. The highest protein abundance was observed in the SW and FW groups, whereas the highest activity was observed in the SW group. In contrast, the BW10 group had the lowest protein abundance and activity. This study demonstrates the effects of osmoregulatory responses on the morphology and density of ionocytes, as well as protein abundance and activity of NKA. In this study, we found that Asian sea bass had the lowest osmoregulatory response in BW10, because the lowest amounts of ionocytes and NKA were required to maintain osmolality at this salinity.

Rapid response of osmotic stress transcription factor 1 (OSTF1) expression to salinity challenge in gills of marine euryhaline milkfish (Chanos chanos).

Euryhaline teleosts can survive in environments with different salinities. Cortisol is an important hormone for acclimation to seawater (SW) of euryhaline teleosts. Osmotic stress transcription factor 1 (OSTF1), also called the transforming growth factor-beta stimulated clone 22 domain 3 (tsc22d3), was first reported in tilapia as an acute response gene and protein under hyperosmotic stress, and it is regulated by cortisol. To date, most studies on OSTF1 have focused on freshwater inhabitants, such as tilapia, medaka, and catadromous eel. The expression of OSTF1 and the correlation between OSTF1 and cortisol in marine inhabitant euryhaline teleosts, to our knowledge, remain unclear. This study reveals the changes in the expression levels of branchial OSTF1, plasma cortisol levels, and their correlation in the marine inhabitant milkfish with ambient salinities. The two sequences of milkfish TSC22D3 transcripts were classified as OSTF1a and OSTF1b. Both genes were expressed universally in all detected organs and tissues but were the most abundant in the liver. Similar gene expression levels of ostf1a and ostf1b were found in SW- and fresh water (FW)-acclimated milkfish gills, an important osmoregulatory organ. Within 12 hours of being transferred from FW to SW, the gene expression level of ostf1b increased significantly (4 folds) within 12 h, whereas the expression level of ostf1a remained constant. Moreover, cortisol levels increased rapidly after being transferred to a hyperosmotic environment. After an intraperitoneal injection of cortisol, the gene expression levels of ostf1a and ostf1b were elevated. However, under hyperosmotic stress, ostf1a gene expression remained stable. Overall, the results revealed that ostf1b was the primary gene in milkfish responding to hypertonic stress, and cortisol concentration increased after the transfer of milkfish from FW to SW. Furthermore, cortisol injection increased the expression of ostf1a and ostf1b. As a result, factors other than cortisol may activate ostf1b in milkfish gills in response to an environmental salinity challenge.

Peritoneal contamination and associated post-operative infectious complications after natural orifice specimen extraction for laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal contamination is a major concern during natural orifice specimen extraction after laparoscopic colorectal resection (LCR-NOSE), but few data are available. We explored the prevalence, risk factors, and association between clinical outcomes and infectious complications in patients with positive peritoneal drain fluid culture (PDFC) after LCR-NOSE. METHOD: We retrospectively analyzed patient records in our prospectively maintained registry database who underwent LCR-NOSE between 2011and 2020. Peritoneal drain fluid was collected within 12 h post-operative and cultures for microorganisms were obtained. The relationships between PDFC, clinical variables, and infectious complications were examined by univariate and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Of 241 consecutive patients who underwent LCR-NOSE and drainage fluid culture, 59 (24.5%) had PDFC. Anterior resection (Odds ratio OR 2.40) was identified as an independent predictor for PDFC. Twenty-eight patients (11.6%) developed infectious complications. Multivariable analysis identified low anterior resection (OR 2.74), prolonged operative time (OR 3.20), and PDFC (OR 5.14) as independent risk factors. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently found microorganism (OR 5.19) responsible for infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Microorganisms are commonly present in the peritoneum after LCR-NOSE and play a critical role in the development of infectious complications and related morbidity. Specific caution is warranted in patients contaminated with specific types of microorganisms.

Protein disulfide isomerase a4 promotes lung cancer development via the Stat3 pathway in stromal cells.

BACKGROUND: Protein disulfide isomerases a4 (Pdia4) is known to be involved in cancer development. Our previous publication showed that Pdia4 positively promotes cancer development via its inhibition of procaspase-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells. However, nothing is known about its role in the cancer microenvironment. RESULTS: Here, we first found that Pdia4 expression in lung cancer was negatively correlated with patient survival. Next, we investigated the impact of host Pdia4 in stromal cells during cancer development. We showed that Pdia4 was expressed at a low level in stromal cells, and this expression was up-regulated akin to its expression in cancer cells. This up-regulation was stimulated by tumour cell-derived stimuli. Genetics studies in tumour-bearing wild-type and Pdia4-/- mice showed that host Pdia4 promoted lung cancer development in the mice via cancer stroma. This promotion was abolished in Rag1-/- mice which lacked T and B cells. This promotion could be restored once T and B cells were added back to Rag1-/- mice. In addition, host Pdia4 positively regulated the number and immunosuppressive function of stromal cells. Mechanistic studies showed that host Pdia4 positively controlled the Stat3/Vegf pathway in T and B lymphocytes via its stabilization of activated Stat3 in a Thioredoxin-like domain (CGHC)-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: These findings identify Pdia4 as a possible target for intervention in cancer stroma, suggesting that targeting Pdia4 in cancer stroma is a promising anti-cancer approach.

Natural orifice versus conventional mini-laparotomy for specimen extraction after reduced-port laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer: propensity score-matched comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Although reduced port laparoscopic surgery (RPLS), defined as laparoscopic surgery performed with the minimum possible number of ports and/or small-sized ports, is less invasive than conventional laparoscopic surgery by reducing the number of surgical wounds, an extension of the incision is still needed for specimen extraction, which can undermine the merits of RPLS. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) in patients undergoing RPLS for colorectal cancer. The endpoints were perioperative outcome and oncologic safety at 3 years. SETTING: Single-center experience (2013-2019). PATIENTS: We retrospectively analyzed our prospectively collected patient records (American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage I-III sigmoid or upper rectal cancer (tumor diameter ≤ 5 cm) who underwent curative anterior resection via RPLS. We excluded patients who did not undergo intestinal anastomosis. INTERVENTIONS: Perioperative and oncologic outcomes were compared between patients undergoing natural orifice (RPLS-NOSE) or conventional (mini-laparotomy) specimen extraction (RPLS-CSE). Patients were matched by propensity scores 1:1 for tumor diameter, AJCC stage, American Society of Anesthesiologists score and tumor location. RESULTS: Of 119 eligible patients, 104 were matched (52 RPLS-NOSE; 52 RPLS-CSE) by propensity scores. Compared with RPLS-CSE, RPLS-NOSE was associated with longer operative time (223.9 vs. 188.7 min; p = 0.003), decreased use of analgesics (morphine dose 33.9 vs. 43.4 mg; p = 0.011) and duration of hospital stay (4.2 vs. 5.1 days; p = 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in morbidity or wound-related complication rates between the two groups. After a median follow-up of 34.3 months, no local recurrence was observed in RPLS-NOSE. The 3-year disease-free survival did not differ statistically significantly between groups (90.9 vs. 90.5%; p = 0.610). CONCLUSION: NOSE enhances the advantages of RPLS by avoiding the need for abdominal wall specimen extraction in patients with tumor diameter ≤ 5 cm. Surgical and oncologic safety are comparable to RPLS with CSE.

Adverse pulmonary impacts of environmental concentrations of oil mist particulate matter in normal human bronchial epithelial cell.

Airborne oil mist particulate matter (OMPM) is generated during industrial processes such as metalworking and may be associated with pulmonary dysfunction. In this study, we employed the normal human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cell line to elucidate the association between pulmonary toxicity and OMPM of 2.5-10 µm, 1.0-2.5 µm and <1.0 µm particle sizes (OMPM10-2.5, OMPM2.5-1.0 and OMPM1.0). We measured OMPM concentrations at a precision machinery factory to estimate lung deposition rates and select realistic environmental concentrations for testing. All OMPMs (1-50 µg/cm2) significantly decreased BEAS-2B cell viability (>38% of control), except for low-dose OMPM1.0 (1 µg/cm2). OMPM10-2.5 and OMPM2.5-1.0, but not OMPM1.0, induced oxidative stress (1.5-4-fold increase compared with the control) and increased the production of proinflammatory cytokines (1.5-3-fold). However, only OMPM1.0 induced pulmonary epithelial barrier dysfunction via depletion of zonula occludens (0.65-0.8-fold) and α1-antitrypsin proteins (0.65-0.8-fold). In conclusion, a higher risk of lung disease was associated with smaller particle size OMPM. Exposure to OMPM1.0 may be a potential risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The evidence also demonstrates that occupational exposure to OMPM may cause pulmonary disease at very low concentrations.

Time-course changes in the regulation of ions and amino acids in the hard clam Meretrix lusoria upon lower salinity challenge.

In this study, we examined ion and amino acid regulation in the gill and mantle of the hard clam Meretrix lusoria. We found that the osmolality and Na+ and Cl- concentrations of hard clam hemolymph were significantly reduced after transferring clams from the salinity of their natural habitat [20‰ saltwater (SW)] to a lower salinity environment (10‰ SW). Specific activities of Na+ , K+ -ATPase (NKA), which provides the driving force for the secondary ion transport associated with cell osmoregulation in gills and mantles, were unaffected during the acclimation to lower salinity. In contrast, there was a significant decline in the contents of free amino acids (FAAs) in the gills and mantles of hard clams during lower salinity acclimation. Taurine was established to be the dominant FAA, the content of which is considerably higher than that of other FAAs in the hard clam. Following acclimation to the lower salinity environment, mRNA expression of the taurine transporter (TAUT), which plays a pivotal role in regulating intracellular taurine contents, was significantly upregulated in the gill and downregulated in the mantle of hard clams at different time points. However, the relative abundance of TAUT protein in the gill and mantle was significantly increased after transfer from 20‰ SW to 10‰ SW, which may reflect feedback regulation in response to reduced taurine contents in the gill and mantle of hard clams. Collectively, the findings of this study provide important insights on the dynamic processes of ion and amino acid regulation in the peripheral tissues of bivalves.

Acute spontaneous thoracic epidural hematoma associated with intraspinal lymphangioma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare neurosurgical emergency. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old healthy woman suffered from complete paraplegia in both legs and loss of all sensation below the xiphoid process. She was diagnosed as acute spontaneous thoracic epidural hematoma caused by an intraspinal lymphangioma. The primary lab survey showed all within normal limits. Presence of a posteriorly epidural space-occupying lesion at the T4-T8 level of the spinal canal was confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging. A decompressive laminectomy was performed from the T4 to T7 levels at the sixth hour following abrupt onset of complete paraplegia. The lesion was confirmed as lymphangioma. This patient recovered well within one month. CONCLUSION: This study reports a case of acute spontaneous thoracic epidural hematoma caused by an intraspinal lymphangioma with well recovery after surgical intervention.

Differential expression of two ATPases revealed by lipid raft isolation from gills of euryhaline teleosts with different salinity preferences.

In euryhaline teleosts, Na+, K+-ATPase (NKA) and V-type H + -ATPase A (VHA A) are important ion-transporters located in cell membrane. Lipid rafts (LR) are plasma membrane microdomains enriched in cholesterol, sphingolipids, and proteins (e.g., flotillin). Flotillin is a LR-associated protein, commonly used as the LR marker. Previous mammalian studies showed that LR may play a crucial role in ion exchanges. Meanwhile, studies on mammals and rainbow trout showed that NKA were found to be present mainly in LR. However, little is known about LR in fish. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the involvement of branchial LR in osmoregulation of tilapia and milkfish, two euryhaline teleosts with different salinity preferences, by (i) extracting LR from the gills of euryhaline teleosts; (ii) detecting the abundance of LR marker protein (flotillin-2) and ion-transporters (NKA and VHA A) in branchial LR and non-LR of fresh water- and seawater-acclimated milkfish and tilapia. The results indicated that the protein abundance of LR marker, flotillin-2, changed with environmental salinities in branchial LR of tilapia. In addition, flotillin-2 and NKA were only found in LR in both tilapia and milkfish gills, while VHA A were mainly present in non-LR. Relative protein abundance of NKA was found to be significantly higher in gills of freshwater milkfish and seawater tilapia, while VHA A was significantly higher in gills of freshwater tilapia and milkfish. This study illustrated differential distribution and salinity-dependent expression of NKA and VHA A in cell membrane of gill tissues of euryhaline teleosts with different salinity preferences.

Simultaneous cranioplasty and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in patients with traumatic brain injury undergoing unilateral decompressive craniectomy.

Hydrocephalus is a common complication after decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the strategy of managing TBI patients with a cranial defect and hydrocephalus remains controversial. Placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) in patients with a cranial defect and hydrocephalus may aggravate sinking skin flap overlying the cranial defect and result in syndrome of sinking skin flap (SSSF) that causes neurological deterioration. A retrospective analysis of 49 TBI patients who developed hydrocephalus after unilateral DC was undertaken to investigate the safety of simultaneous cranioplasty and VPS placement, and the incidence of SSSF after VPS placement. Among these patients, 17 patients underwent simultaneous cranioplasty and VPS placement, and 32 patients underwent staged cranioplasty and VPS placement. The overall complication rate was 9.3% (3/32) in staged group and 29.4% (5/17) in simultaneous group, respectively. There was no statistically significance between two study groups regarding overall complication (p = 0.11) and reoperation rate (p = 0.47). Two patients with severe brain bulging in staged group developed SSSF after placement of a nonprogrammable VPS. Our study showed that simultaneous cranioplasty and VPS placement may be safe in TBI patients with a cranial defect and hydrocephalus. However, due to the contradictory results about the safety of simultaneous cranioplasty and VPS placement in the literatures, neurosurgeons should carefully consider whether patients are suitable for such treatment. In patients planning to undergo VPS placement first, a programmable shunt may be a better choice for the possibility of SSSF after shunt placement.

Potential osmoprotective roles of branchial heat shock proteins towards Na+, K+-ATPase in milkfish (Chanos chanos) exposed to hypotonic stress.

In euryhaline teleosts, osmoregulatory mechanisms vary with osmotic stresses, and heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a central role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The present study aimed to investigate the expression and potential roles of HSP70 and HSP90 in the gills of seawater (SW)- and freshwater (FW)-acclimated milkfish (Chanos chanos). Four HSP genes, including Cchsc70 (heat shock cognate 70), Cchsp70, Cchsp90α, and Cchsp90ß, were analyzed in milkfish gills. Among these genes, only the mRNA abundance of branchial Cchsp90α was significantly lower in the FW-acclimated than in the SW-acclimated milkfish. Immunoblotting showed no significant difference in the relative protein abundance of branchial HSP70 and HSP90 between the two groups. The time-course experiments (from SW to FW) showed that the protein abundance of HSP70 and HSP90 at the 3 h and 6 h post-transfer and then declined gradually. To further illustrate the potential osmoregulatory roles of HSP70 and HSP90, their interaction with Na+, K+-ATPase (NKA, the primary driving force for osmoregulation) was analyzed using co-immunoprecipitation. The results showed the interaction between HSP70, HSP90 and NKA after acclimation to SW or FW increased within 3 h; and then returned to normal levels within 7 days. To our knowledge, the present study was the first to demonstrate that the interaction between HSP70, HSP90 and NKA changes with hypotonic stress in euryhaline teleosts. Before the transfer, no interaction was detected. When transferred to FW from SW, the interaction of HSP70 and HSP90 with NKA were detected. The results suggested that HSP70 and HSP90 participated in the acute responses of osmoregulatory mechanisms to protect branchial NKA from hypotonic stress in milkfish.

Improving the reproducibility, accuracy, and stability of an electrochemical biosensor platform for point-of-care use.

Electrochemical biosensors possess numerous desirable qualities for target detection, such as portability and ease of use, and are often considered for point-of-care (POC) development. Label-free affinity electrochemical biosensors constructed with semiconductor manufacturing technology (SMT)-produced electrodes and a streptavidin biomediator currently display the highest reproducibility, accuracy, and stability in modern biosensors. However, such biosensors still do not meet POC guidelines regarding these three characteristics. The purpose of this research was to resolve the limitations in reproducibility and accuracy caused by problems with production of the biosensors, with the aim of developing a platform capable of producing devices that exceed POC standards. SMT production settings were optimized and bioreceptor immobilization was improved through the use of a unique linker, producing a biosensor with exceptional reproducibility, impressive accuracy, and high stability. Importantly, the three characteristics of the sensors produced using the proposed platform all meet POC standards set by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). This suggests possible approval of the biosensors for POC development. Furthermore, the detection range of the platform was demonstrated by constructing biosensors capable of detecting common POC targets, including circulating tumor cells (CTCs), DNA/RNA, and curcumin, and the devices were optimized for POC use. Overall, the platform developed in this study shows high potential for production of POC biosensors.

Changes in hypothermal stress-induced hepatic mitochondrial metabolic patterns between fresh water- and seawater-acclimated milkfish, Chanos chanos.

Milkfish (Chanos chanos) is a tropical euryhaline species. It can acclimate to fresh water (FW) or seawater (SW) and be cultured in both. In winter, cold snaps cause huge losses in milkfish revenue. Compared to FW-acclimated individuals, SW-acclimated milkfish have better low-temperature tolerance. Under hypothermal stress, a stable energy supply is critical to maintain normal liver function. In this study, the levels of key mitochondrial enzymes (citrate synthase (CS) and cytochrome c oxidase (COX)) in milkfish livers were examined. The CS:COX activity ratio in FW milkfish significantly increased under hypothermal stress (18 °C) whereas ATP (the end product of aerobic metabolism) was downregulated. Therefore, the activities of the enzymes involved in mitochondrial amino acid biosynthesis (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH)) were evaluated to elucidate energy flow in milkfish livers under hypothermal stress. In FW milkfish, GDH activity was upregulated whereas AST activity was downregulated. Nevertheless, the levels of all the aforementioned enzymes did not significantly change in SW milkfish under hypothermal stress. In summary, we clarified the mechanism accounting for the fact that SW milkfish have superior low-temperature tolerance to FW milkfish and demonstrated that SW and FW milkfish have different and unique strategies for regulating energy flow.

The Association between Mortality-to-Incidence Ratios and Health Expenditures in Brain and Nervous System Cancers.

Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) are alternative parameters used to evaluate the prognosis of a disease. In addition, MIRs are associated with the ranking of health care systems and expenditures for certain types of cancer. However, a lack of association between MIRs and pancreatic cancer has been noted. Given the poor prognosis of brain and nervous system cancers, similar to pancreatic cancer, the relation of MIRs and health care disparities is worth investigating. We used the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (CC) to analyze the correlation between the MIRs in brain and nervous system cancers and inter-country disparities, including expenditures on health and human development index. Interestingly, the MIRs in brain and nervous system cancers are associated with the human development index score (N = 157, CC = -0.394, p < 0.001), current health expenditure (CHE) per capita (N = 157, CC = -0.438, p < 0.001), and CHE as percentage of gross domestic product (N = 157, CC = -0.245, p = 0.002). In conclusion, the MIRs in the brain and nervous system cancer are significantly associated with health expenditures and human development index. However, their role as an indicator of health disparity warrants further investigation.

Origins of the odd optical observables in plutonium and americium tungstates.

A series of trivalent f-block tungstates, MW2O7(OH)(H2O) (M = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Pu) and AmWO4(OH), have been prepared in crystalline form using hydrothermal methods. Both structure types take the form of 3D networks where MW2O7(OH)(H2O) is assembled from infinite chains of distorted tungstate octahedra linked by isolated MO8 bicapped trigonal prisms; whereas AmWO4(OH) is constructed from edge-sharing AmO8 square antiprisms connected by distorted tungstate trigonal bipyramids. PuW2O7(OH)(H2O) crystallizes as red plates; an atypical color for a Pu(iii) compound. Optical absorption spectra acquired from single crystals show strong, broadband absorption in the visible region. A similar feature is observed for CeW2O7(OH)(H2O), but not for AmWO4(OH). Here we demonstrate that these significantly different optical properties do not stem directly from the 5f electrons, as in both systems the valence band has mostly O-2p character and the conduction band has mostly W-5d character. Furthermore, the quasi-particle gap is essentially unaffected by the 5f degrees of freedom. Despite this, our analysis demonstrates that the f-electron covalency effects are quite important and substantially different energetically in PuW2O7(OH)(H2O) and AmWO4(OH), indicating that the optical gap alone cannot be used to infer conclusions concerning the f electron contribution to the chemical bond in these systems.