First Observation of the ß3αp Decay of

The ß-delayed proton decay of ^{13}O has previously been studied, but the direct observation of ß-delayed 3αp decay has not been reported. Rare 3αp events from the decay of excited states in ^{13}N^{⋆} provide a sensitive probe of cluster configurations in ^{13}N. To measure the low-energy products following ß-delayed 3αp decay, the Texas Active Target (TexAT) time projection chamber was employed using the one-at-a-time ß-delayed charged-particle spectroscopy technique at the Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University. A total of 1.9×10^{5} ^{13}O implantations were made inside the TexAT time projection chamber. A total of 149 3αp events were observed, yielding a ß-delayed 3αp branching ratio of 0.078(6)%. Four previously unknown α-decaying excited states were observed in ^{13}N at 11.3, 12.4, 13.1, and 13.7 MeV decaying via the 3α+p channel.

Finger injuries by eyebrow razor blades in infants.

Infants are occasionally injured while playing with their mother's eyebrow razor, and we have treated several infants with flexor tendon injuries, which in some cases were accompanied by damage to the corresponding digital nerves and/or vessels. Here, we report the outcomes in a retrospective case series, with a review of literature. Between January 2013 and October 2019, 8 patients who met our inclusion criteria were initially investigated. The inclusion criteria were: (1) injured by an eyebrow razor during fiddling or grasping, and (2) the availability of complete medical records and radiological data, with follow-up of at least 2 years. The core sutures were performed using a modified Becker (4-strand) method for flexor digitorum profundus (FDP). Nerves and/or vessels were repaired under microscopy. A long-arm mitten cast was then applied, with the fingers slightly flexed in a resting position, for 3 weeks. Then, the children were allowed to return to unrestricted activity. Formal outpatient hand therapy was not performed. Mean postnatal age was 6.3 months. The FDP was injured in zones 1 and 2 in 3 and 5 infants, respectively. Most of the infants were injured near a dressing table, in the bedroom used by their mother. The colors of these razors were all bright, except for one achromatic (white) razor. All of the razors had been left uncovered, without their cap, or were left open in the case of hinged razors. At a mean follow-up of 35.8 months, range of motion was evaluated by the Strickland and modified Strickland methods; all results were "excellent". We encountered no significant complications in any digit: neuroma, tendon retear, stiffness or necrosis. Uncapped or unfolded colorful eyebrow razors pose a high risk of tendon section with concurrent neurovascular injury in infants. Although satisfactory outcomes can be expected, it seems important to prevent the injury through fastidious parental care and changing razor design and color. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Evaluation of functional recovery in the intrinsic and flexor muscles after nerve transfer for ulnar nerve lesion. A new measurement method: The Cha method.

"Supercharge" end-to-side (SETS) nerve transfer for lesions of the proximal ulnar nerve is a recognized novel option, but improvement in motor function after surgery has not been properly evaluated. We therefore propose a modified method for quantitative evaluation of improvement in the intrinsic hand strength. We screened 216 patients with proximal ulnar nerve lesions who presented to our outpatient department from 2012 to 2020. Of these, 101 met our inclusion/exclusion criteria and were evaluated just before surgery. We used a novel method to measure finger abduction ("2nd-abd"), adduction ("5th-add"), and ring and little finger flexion strength ("4,5 grip"), and analyzed correlations with established pinch strength data. The male:female sex ratio was 86:15, and the ratio dominant to nondominant arm involvement was 68:33. All strength measurements were analyzed as percentage affected to contralateral normal side. On Pearson correlation analysis, the strength ratios for "4,5 grip", "2nd-abd", and "5th-add", but not "5 fingers (total) grip", showed significant positive correlation with key and oppositional pinch strength (all p < 0.001). Additionally, linear regression analysis showed identical results for each strength correlation with key/oppositional pinch, except for "5 fingers total) grip" (all, p < 0.001). SETS is a reasonable alternative for lesions of the proximal ulnar nerve. The measurement method we propose is feasible for specific assessment of intrinsic muscle strength, which improves after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, level IV.

Primary repair of extensor pollicis longus rupture after volar locking plating for distal radial fracture.

We presumed that primary repair would be possible if the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) rupture after volar locking plating (VLP) for distal radius fracture (DRF) was diagnosed earlier. Thus, five cases of EPL ruptures were resolved via primary repair rather than extensor indicis proprius (EIP) transfer, so we reported the clinical outcomes of at least 2 years follow-up since EPL repair. Of 588 consecutive patients with the fractures treated between January 2016 and December 2019, 501 who met out inclusion/exclusion criteria were initially investigated. We informed patients of: (1) the ordinary range of motion of thumb at full wrist flexion/extension; (2) the proper tone of thumb extension compared to the contralateral thumb; and (3) the degree of pain/discomfort during thumb exercise. After discharge, we called each patient monthly commencing at 8 weeks postoperatively to enquire if any of those had worsened, by telephone. Five patients had ruptured EPLs diagnosed at a mean of postoperative-12.8 weeks. Three came to outpatient department for suspected tendon rupture just after telephone survey with the authors. The other two visited after detecting insufficiency in the three items, during the period between telephone inquiries. In four, the torn EPL were encapsulated by tendon sheathes. Extension lag at interphalangeal joint was absent and other clinical outcomes associated with DRF were all satisfactory at final follow-up. Primary repair of EPL rupture (rather than EIP transfer) is possible if patients are properly followed up after VLP for DRF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Advancement of Photospheric Radius Expansion and Clocked Type-I X-Ray Burst Models with the New

We report the first (in)elastic scattering measurement of ^{25}Al+p with the capability to select and measure in a broad energy range the proton resonances in ^{26}Si contributing to the ^{22}Mg(α,p) reaction at type I x-ray burst energies. We measured spin-parities of four resonances above the α threshold of ^{26}Si that are found to strongly impact the ^{22}Mg(α,p) rate. The new rate advances a state-of-the-art model to remarkably reproduce light curves of the GS 1826-24 clocked burster with mean deviation <9% and permits us to discover a strong correlation between the He abundance in the accreting envelope of the photospheric radius expansion burster and the dominance of ^{22}Mg(α,p) branch.

Acute Seymour fractures in children/adolescents overlooked as a simple nail injury: Reduction without pinning.

We retrospectively report the outcomes of several cases in which acute Seymour fractures were treated by open reduction of displaced distal bony fragments with concurrent nail repair, following complete incision and drainage without K-wire fixation. Among 21 patients surgically treated between March 2004 and December 2018, the final 12 were evaluated after at least 2 years of follow-up. All children/adolescents presented more than 24 h after the injury. All injuries were unreduced in the emergency department, with typical features of skin disruption around the eponychium/perionychium. Reduction was maintained without a K-wire after repairing the bone-periosteum-nail bed-nail plate of the distal fragment and the corresponding physis-periosteum-germinal matrix-proximal nail-fold of the proximal stump. Dorsal angulation, finger length, postoperative pain on visual analog scale (VAS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and active range of motion (ROM) were evaluated at the final follow-up. The mean patient age was 9.3 years (range, 3-13 years) and the mean time from injury to surgery was 35 h (range, 28-44 h). Only one child suffered a superficial infection; however, it resolved with 1 week of oral antibiotic treatment. At the final follow-up, mean dorsal angulation was 0.50° ± 1.24°; the length ratio compared with the corresponding contralateral phalanx was 98% (both, P > 0.05). The final pain on VAS, DASH score, and ROM ratio were 0.25 ± 0.45, 0.83 ± 1.34, and 99 ± 2%, respectively. Unreduced Seymour fractures presenting more than 24 h after the injury were treated by proper debridement and reduction of the fracture without the use of a K-wire. However, to determine whether the infection rate is definitively lower, this procedure should be compared with the conventional procedure using a K-wire. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic level IV.

Key

Detection of nuclear-decay γ rays provides a sensitive thermometer of nova nucleosynthesis. The most intense γ-ray flux is thought to be annihilation radiation from the ß^{+} decay of ^{18}F, which is destroyed prior to decay by the ^{18}F(p,α)^{15}O reaction. Estimates of ^{18}F production had been uncertain, however, because key near-threshold levels in the compound nucleus, ^{19}Ne, had yet to be identified. We report the first measurement of the ^{19}F(^{3}He,tγ)^{19}Ne reaction, in which the placement of two long-sought 3/2^{+} levels is suggested via triton-γ-γ coincidences. The precise determination of their resonance energies reduces the upper limit of the rate by a factor of 1.5-17 at nova temperatures and reduces the average uncertainty on the nova detection probability by a factor of 2.1.

Extensive curettage using a high-speed burr versus dehydrated alcohol instillation for the treatment of enchondroma of the hand.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients treated with different adjuvant methods after curettage for enchondromas of the hand. Sixty-two patients with enchondroma were treated with high-speed burring (29 patients) or alcohol instillation (33 patients) after curettage. The mean follow-up was 40.8 months. No significant differences in the visual analogue scale, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores, total range of active motion, grip strength, and complete healing time were observed between the groups. The distribution of the results of the formula by Wilhelm and Feldmeier were not significantly different between the groups. No surgery-related complications, postoperative pathological fractures, or recurrence was found in either group. For the treatment of enchondroma in the metacarpal and proximal phalanx, alcohol instillation immediately after curettage was as effective as extensive curettage using a high-speed burr.

Sensory characteristics and cross-cultural consumer acceptability of Bulgogi (Korean traditional barbecued beef).

UNLABELLED: Bulgogi (Korean traditional barbecued beef) is the most well-known Korean food to foreigners. There are, however, few studies on its sensory characteristics and consumer acceptability. This study was performed to identify the sensory attributes of Bulgogi samples prepared with different formulation and to compare the consumer acceptability in Korea and the United States. Bulgogi samples were prepared with varying levels of sugar and soy sauce with/without garlic or sesame oil. Descriptive analysis was conducted by 8 trained panelists. In consumer tests, 42 consumers in Seoul, Korea, 53 consumers in Davis (Calif., U.S.A.), and 39 consumers in St. Paul (Minn., U.S.A.) participated. Higher levels of sugar and soy sauce (SSS) significantly increased sweetness, saltiness, MSG taste, and soy sauce odor/flavor compared to the control made with the standard formula (CON). Elimination of sesame oil (ESO) significantly decreased sesame oil odor/flavor and oiliness, but increased green onion flavor. Elimination of garlic (EGC) significantly increased grilled beef odor/flavor, sesame oil odor/flavor, and oiliness, but decreased intensities of all the other attributes except bitterness. The consumers in Korea and the United States rated their overall liking for all samples similarly, preferring SSS to CON, EGC, and ESO. However Korean consumers seemed to detect the differences caused by formulation changes better than the U.S. consumers and these perceived differences seemed to impact the hedonic and the just-about-right ratings. Increase in soy sauce and sugar increased both Korean and the U.S. consumers' acceptability of Bulgogi, whereas eliminating garlic did not influence the consumer acceptability despite of its significant impact on sensory attributes. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The food industry is increasingly interested in ethnic foods that satisfy sophisticated appetite of today's consumers. Korean cuisine is recently gaining popularity and perceived as "adventurous and spicy," appealing to researchers and marketers in the food industry worldwide. However, it is not easy to develop a new product based on ethnic cuisine because nonsensory factors, such as food neophobia and openness to new culture, can evoke adverse responses from the consumers. A systematic sensory approach can guide the product development by identifying both sensory and nonsensory factors affecting consumer acceptability. This study investigated sensory attributes of Bulgogi (Korean traditional barbecued beef), one of the most famous Korean foods, and compared consumer acceptability between Korea and the United States. The outcomes of this study, such as flavor profiles, consumer responses, evaluation procedure, and approaches taken for cross-cultural comparison, will provide the food industries with valuable information that will help to develop effective strategies for commercializing ethnic foods including recipe development for Bulgogi marinades.

Effects of low dose ketamine on tourniquet-induced haemodynamic responses during general anaesthesia.

This study investigated the effect of a pre-operative low dose of intravenous ketamine on tourniquet-induced haemodynamic changes. Ten minutes after induction of general anaesthesia, 0.1 mg/kg ketamine in 10 ml of saline (ketamine group, n = 14) or 10 ml of normal saline (control group, n = 14) were administered intravenously. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and heart rate relative to tourniquet inflation and deflation were recorded and compared within and between groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the control group significantly increased relative to baseline during the observation period following tourniquet inflation, but generally did not significantly increase in the ketamine group. The control group had a greater percentage of patients with a 30% rise in blood pressure at 60 min after tourniquet inflation compared with the ketamine group (28.6% vs 7.1%), but this was not statistically significant. We conclude that a pre-operative low dose (0.1 mg/kg) of intravenous ketamine can prevent a systemic arterial pressure increase for at least 60 min after tourniquet inflation under general anaesthesia.

Development of inhibitors of pyrimidine metabolism.

Benzylacyclouridines were developed as specific and potent competitive inhibitors of uridine phosphorylase with Ki values in the nanomolar range. These compounds have no activity against thymidine phosphorylase, uridine kinase, thymidine kinase and orotate phosphoribosyltransferase. Benzylacyclouridines potentiate the chemotherapeutic effect of FdUrd. Coadministration of uridine phosphorylase inhibitor with FdUrd caused selective toxicity against tumors with low or no thymidine phosphorylase, but not against the host tissues which have thymidine phosphorylase, and thus retain the capacity to cleave FdUrd, and hence overcome its toxicity. There are distinct differences between uridine phosphorylase and thymidine phosphorylase. Benzylacyclouridines competitively inhibit the nucleoside transport of mammalian cells. The structure-activity relationship of inhibitors of uridine phosphorylase showed that a large hydrophobic pocket exists where C-5 of uracil binds, and that it is necessary to have the 3'-hydroxyl group and syn-configuration around the N-glycosidic bond for the nucleosides or their analogs to bind. Dihydrouracil dehydrogenase was found to be widely distributed among mammalian cells, where it was previously believed to be present only in the liver and the kidney. The structure-activity relationship of its inhibitors revealed benzyloxybenzyluracil and 2,6-pyridinediol as most potent. Also identified for orotate phosphoribosyltransferase was 2,4-pyridinediol.

Effect of the N-glycosidic bond conformation and modifications in the pentose moiety on the binding of nucleoside ligands to uridine phosphorylase.

Several arabinosyl-, xylosyl-, lyxosyl, 5'-deoxy-, acyclo-, 2,2'-anhydro-, 2,3'-anhydro-2'-deoxy-, 2,5'-anhydro-, 6,5'-cyclo-, and carbocyclic analogues of uridine with various 5-substitutions (fluoro, methyl, bromo, ethyl, benzyl, or benzyloxybenzyl) have been tested and compared with their corresponding ribo- and 2'-deoxyribosides for their potency to inhibit uridine phosphorylase (UrdPase) from both mouse and human livers. The effect of the alpha- and beta-configurations of the glycosidic bond was also tested. Xylo-, lyxo-, 2,3'-anhydro-2'-deoxy-, 6,5'-cyclo-, and carbocyclic uridines did not bind to the enzyme. Ribosides bound better than the corresponding 2'-deoxyribosides, which were better than the 5'-deoxyribosides. 2'-alpha-Deoxyribosides bound to the enzyme, albeit less tightly than the corresponding beta-anomers. The acyclo- and 2,2'-anhydrouridines were all potent inhibitors with the 2,2'-anhydro- derivatives being the most potent. 2,5'-Anhydrouridine bound to UrdPase less effectively than 2,2'-anhydrouridine and acyclouridine. Arabinosyl uracil was at best a very poor inhibitor but binds better if a benzyl group is added at the 5-position of the pyrimidine ring. This binding was enhanced further by adding a 5-benzyloxybenzyl group. A similar enhancement of the binding with increased hydrophobicity at the 5-position of the pyrimidine ring was observed with ribosides, alpha- and beta-anomers of the 2'-deoxyribosides, acyclonucleosides, and 2,2'-anhydronucleosides. The inhibitory potencies of these compounds with UrdPase from human liver roughly parallel those obtained with UrdPase from mouse liver. It is concluded that the presence of a N-glycosidic bond as well as a properly oriented 3'-hydroxyl group are prerequisites for a nucleoside ligand to bind to UrdPase. On the other hand, the presence of a 2'- or 5'-hydroxyl group or an N-glycosidic bond in the beta-configuration enhances but is not essential for binding. Furthermore, the potency of the binding of 2,2'-anhydrouridines (fixed syn-isomers) in contrast to the complete lack of binding of the 6,5'-cyclouridines (fixed anti-isomers) to UrdPase indicates that the binding of ligands to this enzyme is in the syn-conformation around the N-glycosidic bond.

Effects of N,N-dimethylformamide and sodium butyrate on enzymes of pyrimidine metabolism in cultured human tumor cells.

Effects of a 7-day treatment with the maturational agents DMF and sodium butyrate on enzymes of pyrimidine metabolism, growth rate and cell maturation were assessed in 5 human tumor cell lines, ARH-77 (myeloma), K-562 (chronic myeloid leukemia), KG-1 (myeloid leukemia), HL-60 (promyelocytic leukemia) and RWLy-1 (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma). DMF lengthened the doubling times of all five cell lines while sodium butyrate lengthened only those of K-562, HL-60 and RWLy-1. Full maturation was induced only in HL-60 by either agent and in K-562 by butyrate. Exposure resulted in a decreased activity of the anabolic enzyme orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.10) and increased activities of the catabolic enzymes thymidine phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.4) and dihydrouracil dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.1.2). Changes in the amphibolic enzyme, uridine phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.3) did not follow any apparent pattern. This study indicates that the pattern of pyrimidine metabolism differs between the differentiated and slowly growing, and undifferentiated rapidly growing counterpart of several human tumors, suggesting that enzymes of pyrimidine metabolism can be used as markers for cellular growth and/or maturity.

Combination therapy of Schistosoma japonicum by tubercidin and nitrobenzylthioinosine 5'-monophosphate.

Coadministration of nitrobenzylthioinosine 5'-monophosphate (NBMPR-P) with high doses of tubercidin by i.p. injection into Schistosoma japonicum infected mice beginning 5 weeks post-infection was highly toxic to the parasite but not the hose. Combination therapy resulted in a striking reduction in the number of worms, and the few worms that could be found were stunted. Combination therapy also caused a drastic reduction in the number of eggs in the livers (from 86,500 to 2,800 eggs/liver) and intestines (from 2,200 to 74 eggs/cm2), and 95% of eggs that were found were dead, indicating the termination of oviposition. Mice receiving the combination of tubercidin plus NBMPR-P appeared healthy and had normal size livers and spleens. These results demonstrate that by combining NBMPR-P with tubercidin high selective toxicity against S. japonicum can be achieved, as was shown previously with S. mansoni.