2-D sex images elicit mate copying in fruit flies.

Although the environment is three-dimensional (3-D), humans are able to extract subtle information from two-dimensional (2-D) images, particularly in the domain of sex. However, whether animals with simpler nervous systems are capable of such information extraction remains to be demonstrated, as this ability would suggest a functional generalisation capacity. Here, we performed mate-copying experiments in Drosophila melanogaster using 2-D artificial stimuli. Mate copying occurs when naïve females observe the mating success of potential mates and use that social information to build their own mating preference. By replacing live demonstrations with (i) photos or (ii) simplified images of copulating pairs, we found that even crudely simplified images of sexual intercourse still elicit mate copying, suggesting that Drosophila is able to extract sex-related information even from a degraded image. This new method constitutes a powerful tool to further investigate mate copying in that species and sexual preferences in general.

Can we really make catheter-associated urinary tract infections a never event? A level 1 trauma center's experience with prophylactic antibiotic bladder irrigation.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are considered "never events" and are reportable to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a quality indicator. Despite protocols to determine appropriate removal of urinary catheters as soon as possible, severely injured trauma patients often require prolonged catheterization during ongoing resuscitation or develop retention requiring catheter replacement, exposing them to risk for CAUTI. We evaluated whether prophylactic antibiotic bladder irrigation reduces the incidence of CAUTI in critically ill trauma patients. METHODS: As a quality initiative, gentamicin bladder catheter irrigation (GBCI) was performed on a level 1 trauma center's patients at risk for CAUTI in 2021, defined by indwelling Foley catheterization for a minimum of 3 days. We then conducted a retrospective study using a comparison cohort of 2020 admissions as the control group. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates per 1,000 catheterized days were compared between these two groups. Patients with traumatic bladder injuries were excluded. RESULTS: Our cohort included 342 patients with a median hospitalization of 11 (7-17) days, Injury Severity Score of 17 (10-26), and 6 (4-11) days of catheterization. Eighty-six patients, catheterized for 939 at-risk days, received twice-daily GBCI compared with 256, catheterized for 2,114 at-risk days, who did not. Zero patients in the GBCI group versus nine patients in the control group developed CAUTI. The incidence of CAUTI in the GBCI group was significantly less than in the control group (0/1,000 vs. 4.3/1,000 catheterized days, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic antibiotic bladder irrigation was associated with a zero incidence of CAUTI among trauma patients at risk for CAUTI. This practice holds promise as effective infection prophylaxis for such patients. The optimal duration and frequency of irrigation remain to be determined. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, Level III.

In vivo dosimetry in low-voltage IORT breast treatments with XR-RV3 radiochromic film.

PURPOSE: The objectives of the study were to establish a procedure for in vivo film-based dosimetry for intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), evaluate the typical doses delivered to organs at risk, and verify the dose prescription. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo dose measurements were studied using XR-RV3 radiochromic films in 30 patients with breast cancer undergoing IORT using the Axxent® device (Xoft Inc.). The stability of the radiochromic films in the energy ranges used was verified by taking measurements at different depths. The stability of the scanner response was tested, and 5 different calibration curves were constructed for different beam qualities. Six pieces of film were placed in each of the 30 patients. All the pieces were correctly sterilized and checked to ensure that the process did not affect the outcome. All calibration and dose measurements were analyzed using the Radiochromic.com software application. RESULTS: The doses were measured for 30 patients. The doses in contact with the applicator (prescription zone) were 19.8 ± 0.9 Gy. In the skin areas, the doses were as follows: 1-2 cm from the applicator, 1.86 ± 0.77 Gy; 2-5 cm, 0.73 ± 0.14 Gy; and greater than 5 cm, 0.28 ± 0.17 Gy. The dose delivered to the pectoral muscle (tungsten shielding disc) was 0.51 ± 0.27 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the viability of XR-RV3 films for in vivo dose measurement in the dose and energy ranges applied in a complex procedure, such as breast IORT. The doses in organs at risk were far below the tolerances for cases such as those studied.

Expression and Cellular Localization of 15-Hydroxy-Prostaglandin-Dehydrogenase in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

PGE2 has been implicated in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) associated hypervascularization. PGE2-metabolism involves 15-hydroxyprostaglandin-dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) the expression of which in AAA is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the expression and cell distribution of 15-PGDH in AAA. Here, we show that 15-PGDH mRNA levels were significantly higher in aorta samples from patients undergoing AAA repair than in those from healthy multiorgan donors. Consequently, the ratio of metabolized PGE2 secreted by aortic samples was significantly higher in AAA. AAA production of total PGE2 and PGE2 metabolites correlated positively with PGI2 production, while the percentage of metabolized PGE2 correlated negatively with the total amount of PGE2 and with PGI2. Transcript levels of 15-PGDH were statistically associated with leukocyte markers but did not correlate with microvascular endothelial cell markers. Immunohistochemistry revealed 15-PGDH in the areas of leukocyte infiltration in AAA samples, mainly associated with CD45-positive cells, but not in normal aorta samples. We provide new data concerning 15-PGDH expression in human AAA, showing that 15-PGDH is upregulated in AAA and mainly expressed in infiltrating leukocytes. Our data suggest that microvasculature was not involved in PGE2 catabolism, reinforcing the potential role of microvasculature derived PGE2 in AAA-associated hypervascularization.

Active smoking increases microsomal PGE2-synthase-1/PGE-receptor-4 axis in human abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2/microsomal PGE-synthase- (mPGES-) 1/PGE-receptor- (EP-) 4 axis could play a key role in the physiopathology of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in humans. In this study, we investigated the influence of cardiovascular risk factors on the expression of the PGE2 pathway in human AAA. METHODS: Aortic (n = 89) and plasma (n = 79) samples from patients who underwent AAA repair were collected. Patients were grouped according to risk factors. COX-isoenzymes, mPGES-1, EPs, α-actin, and CD45 and CD68 transcripts levels were quantified by QRT-PCR and plasma PGE2 metabolites by EIA. RESULTS: Current smoking (CS) patients compared to no-CS had significantly higher local levels of mPGES-1 (P = 0.009), EP-4 (P = 0.007), and PGE2 metabolites plasma levels (P = 0.008). In the multiple linear regression analysis, these parameters remained significantly enhanced in CS after adding confounding factors. Results from association studies with cell type markers suggested that the increased mPGES-1/EP-4 levels were mainly associated with microvascular endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that elements of the PGE2 pathway, which play an important role in AAA development, are increased in CS. These results provide insight into the relevance of tobacco smoking in AAA development and reinforce the potential of mPGES-1 and EP-4 as targets for therapy in AAA patients.

Ubiquitous virtual private network: a solution for WSN seamless integration.

Sensor networks are becoming an essential part of ubiquitous systems and applications. However, there are no well-defined protocols or mechanisms to access the sensor network from the enterprise information system. We consider this issue as a heterogeneous network interconnection problem, and as a result, the same concepts may be applied. Specifically, we propose the use of object-oriented middlewares to provide a virtual private network in which all involved elements (sensor nodes or computer applications) will be able to communicate as if all of them were in a single and uniform network.

Microvascular COX-2/mPGES-1/EP-4 axis in human abdominal aortic aneurysm.

We investigated the prostaglandin (PG)E2 pathway in human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and its relationship with hypervascularization. We analyzed samples from patients undergoing AAA repair in comparison with those from healthy multiorgan donors. Patients were stratified according to maximum aortic diameter: low diameter (LD) (<55 mm), moderate diameter (MD) (55-69.9 mm), and high diameter (HD) (≥70 mm). AAA was characterized by abundant microvessels in the media and adventitia with perivascular infiltration of CD45-positive cells. Like endothelial cell markers, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and the microsomal isoform of prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES-1) transcripts were increased in AAA (4.4- and 1.4-fold, respectively). Both enzymes were localized in vascular cells and leukocytes, with maximal expression in the LD group, whereas leukocyte markers display a maximum in the MD group, suggesting that the upregulation of COX-2/mPGES-1 precedes maximal leukocyte infiltration. Plasma and in vitro tissue secreted levels of PGE2 metabolites were higher in AAA than in controls (plasma-controls, 19.9 ± 2.2; plasma-AAA, 38.8 ± 5.5 pg/ml; secretion-normal aorta, 16.5 ± 6.4; secretion-AAA, 72.9 ± 6.4 pg/mg; mean ± SEM). E-prostanoid receptor (EP)-2 and EP-4 were overexpressed in AAA, EP-4 being the only EP substantially expressed and colocalized with mPGES-1 in the microvasculature. Additionally, EP-4 mediated PGE2-induced angiogenesis in vitro. We provide new data concerning mPGES-1 expression in human AAA. Our findings suggest the potential relevance of the COX-2/mPGES-1/EP-4 axis in the AAA-associated hypervascularization.

Systematic characterization of the conformation and dynamics of budding yeast chromosome XII.

Chromosomes architecture is viewed as a key component of gene regulation, but principles of chromosomal folding remain elusive. Here we used high-throughput live cell microscopy to characterize the conformation and dynamics of the longest chromosome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (XII). Chromosome XII carries the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) that defines the nucleolus, a major hallmark of nuclear organization. We determined intranuclear positions of 15 loci distributed every ~100 kb along the chromosome, and investigated their motion over broad time scales (0.2-400 s). Loci positions and motions, except for the rDNA, were consistent with a computational model of chromosomes based on tethered polymers and with the Rouse model from polymer physics, respectively. Furthermore, rapamycin-dependent transcriptional reprogramming of the genome only marginally affected the chromosome XII internal large-scale organization. Our comprehensive investigation of chromosome XII is thus in agreement with recent studies and models in which long-range architecture is largely determined by the physical principles of tethered polymers and volume exclusion.

Process-in-Network: a comprehensive network processing approach.

A solid and versatile communications platform is very important in modern Ambient Intelligence (AmI) applications, which usually require the transmission of large amounts of multimedia information over a highly heterogeneous network. This article focuses on the concept of Process-in-Network (PIN), which is defined as the possibility that the network processes information as it is being transmitted, and introduces a more comprehensive approach than current network processing technologies. PIN can take advantage of waiting times in queues of routers, idle processing capacity in intermediate nodes, and the information that passes through the network.