We examined whether romantic relationship satisfaction would serve as a link between early and later stressors which in turn would influence the thyroid function index (TFI), an indicator of physiological stress response. Using the framework of genetic susceptibility theory combined with hypotheses derived from the vulnerability-stress-adaptation and stress-generation models, we tested whether the hypothesized mediational model would be conditioned by 5-HTTLPR genotype, with greater effects and stronger evidence of mediation among carriers of the "s" allele. In a sample of African American women in romantic relationships (n = 270), we found that 5-HTTLPR moderated each stage of the hypothesized mediational model in a "for better or for worse" manner. That is genetic polymorphisms function to exacerbate not only the detrimental impact of negative environments (i.e., "for worse effects") but also the beneficial impact of positive environments (i.e., "for better effects"). The effect of early stress on relationship satisfaction was greater among carriers of the "short" allele than among those who did not carry the short allele, and was significantly different in both the "for better" and "for worse" direction. Likewise, the effect of relationship satisfaction on later stressors was moderated in a "for better "or "for worse" manner. Finally, impact on physiological stress, indexed using TFI level, indicated that the impact of later stressors on TFI level was greater in the presence of the short allele, and also followed a "for better" or "for worse" pattern. As expected, the proposed mediational model provided a better fit for "s" allele carriers.

Solar energy is considered one of the most promising energy sources for the degradation of pollutants in the water treatments. An innovative solar photo-thermochemical system involving peroxydisulfate (PDS) as an oxidant and xenon lamp as a solar irradiation light source was applied with hopes to degrade organic matters and alleviate the ultrafiltration (UF) membrane fouling when treating the real surface water. Moreover, heat-activated PDS pretreatment was used as a comparison to explore the respective proportions of solar light and heating effects, finding that solar light effect dominated the activation of PDS to degrade natural organic matters (NOMs) when the reaction temperature was below 50 °C and they both contributed to the production of free radicals at the temperature of >50 °C. The results indicated that solar-activated PDS pretreatment significantly alleviated membrane fouling caused by Songhua River water with the highest transmembrane pressure (TMP) reduction of approximately 69.6% at 70 °C. Organic substances (characterized by DOC, UV₂₅₄ and the maximum florescent intensity) and micropollutant (atrazine) in the feed water were better degraded in the presence of solar light. Both total fouling index (TFI) and hydraulic irreversible fouling index (HIFI) were moderate correlated with the UV₂₅₄ and DOC, whereas remarkably correlated with the F_max of component 2 (C2) and component 3 (C3). In addition, no significant correlation was observed between fouling indexes (TFI and HIFI) and the F_max of component 1 (C1). The membrane irreversible fouling was attributed to the accumulation of cake layers mainly composed of protein-like substances on the membrane surface. Solar-activated PDS pretreatment would efficiently degrade the protein-like substances and terrestrially derived humic-like matters to control UF membrane fouling. The findings are beneficial to develop new strategies for membrane fouling alleviation based on the solar irradiation and PDS oxidation.

Keywords: Membrane fouling; Natural organic matter (NOM); Solar-activated peroxydisulfate; Ultrafiltration.

The current study extended prior work on the Femininity Ideology Scale (FIS), a multidimensional measure of traditional femininity ideology (TFI), in several ways. First, we conducted exploratory factor and bifactor analyses, which revealed a general TFI factor and 3 specific factors: dependence/deference, purity, and emotionality/traditional roles. Second, based on these results we developed the 12-item FIS-Short Form (FIS-SF). Third, we assessed the FIS-SF using confirmatory factor analysis on a separate sample, finding that the items loaded on the general factor and 3 specific factors as hypothesized, and that the bifactor model fit better than common factors and unidimensional models. Fourth, model-based reliability estimates tentatively support the use of raw scores to represent the general TFI factor and the emotionality/traditional roles specific factor, but the other 2 specific factors are best measured using SEM or by ipsatizing their scores. Fifth, we assessed measurement invariance across 2 gender groups, finding evidence for configural invariance for all factors, and for partial metric invariance for the specific factors. Sixth, we found evidence for the convergent construct validity of the FIS-SF general factor and the emotionality/traditional roles specific factors by examining relationships with the latent variables of several constructs in the nomological network. The results are discussed in relationship to prior literature, future research directions, applications to counseling practice, and limitations. Data (N = 1,472, 907 women, 565 men, 530 people of color) were from community and college participants who responded to an online survey. (PsycINFO Database Record

Postural control plays an essential role in concussion evaluation. The Stability Evaluation Test (SET) aims to objectively analyze postural control by measuring sway velocity on the NeuroCom VSR portable force platform (Natus, San Carlos, CA).

To assess the test-retest reliability and practice effects of the SET protocol.

Cohort.

Research laboratory.

50 healthy adults (20 men, 30 women, age 25.30 ± 3.60 y, height 166.60± 12.80 cm, mass 68.80 ± 13.90 kg).

All participants completed 4 trials of the SET. Each trial consisted of six 20-s balance tests with eyes closed, under the following conditions: double-leg firm (DFi), single-leg firm (SFi), tandem firm (TFi), double-leg foam (DFo), single-leg foam (SFo), and tandem foam (TFo). Each trial was separated by a 5-min seated rest period.

The dependent variable was sway velocity (deg/s), with lower values indicating better balance. Sway velocity was recorded for each of the 6 conditions as well as a composite score for each trial. Test-retest reliability was analyzed across 4 trials with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Practice effects analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance, followed by Tukey post hoc comparisons for any significant main effects (P < .05).

Sway-velocity reliability values were good to excellent: DFi (ICC = .88; 95%CI: .81, .92), SFi (ICC = .75; 95%CI: .61, .85), TFi (ICC = .84; 95%CI: .75, .90), DFo (ICC = .83; 95%CI: .74, .90), SFo (ICC = .82; 95%CI: .72, .89), TFo (ICC = .81; 95%CI: .69, .88), and composite score (ICC = .93; 95%CI: .88, .95). Significant practice effects (P < .05) were noted on the SFi, DFo, SFo, TFo conditions and composite scores.

Our results suggest the SET has good to excellent reliability for the assessment of postural control in healthy adults. Due to the practice effects noted, a familiarization session is recommended (ie, all 6 conditions) before data are recorded. Future studies should evaluate injured patients to determine meaningful change scores during various injuries.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and evaluate the Standards of Healthcare Facility for Thai Female Inmates (SHF-TFI) through healthcare service improvement. Design/methodology/approach This research and quality improvement project was comprised of three phases. Surveying healthcare facilities and in-depth interviews with female inmates as well as prison nurses were employed in Phase I. Expert reviews and public hearing meetings were used for developing the SHF-TFI in Phase II. Satisfaction questionnaires, focus group interviews of the female inmates, and in-depth interviews with nurses and prison wardens were utilized to evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of SHF-TFI implementation in Phase III. Findings The SHF-TFI was elaborated in order to be more specific to the context of the correctional institutes and correspond with healthcare as to the needs of female inmates. It was divided into three main aspects: administrative standards, health service standards and outcome standards. After implementation, nurses reflected on the feasibility and benefits of the SHF-TFI on the organizations, inmates and nurses. The female inmates perceived remarkable improvement in the healthcare services including physical activity promotion and screening programs for non-communicable diseases, the physical environment and sufficiency of medical equipment. Moreover, the pregnant inmates and incarcerated mothers with children shared their views on better antenatal and child developmental care, as well as availability of baby supplies. Originality/value The findings support the feasibility and effectiveness of the SHF-TFI for quality care improvement and applicability of the Bangkok Rules in women's correctional institutes.

This study was conducted to evaluate the optimum inclusion levels of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal on growth, haematology, and physiological performance of pigs. A total of 16 grower pigs comprising of 12 females and 4 castrated males weighing an average of 13.5 kg were assigned into a completely randomized experimental layout, subjected to 4 inclusion levels of leaf meal (0, 50, 100, and 150 g/kg DM). Regression model and one-way ANOVA model were used to analyse the data. The total feed intake (TFI) and average weekly feed intake (AWFI) were significantly affected quadratically (P < 0.05) by increased inclusion levels, while tubular diameter (TD) and epithelial cell thickness (ECT) of the thyroid gland were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected quadratically. However, a significant difference due to inclusion levels on TD and ECT was established due to one-way ANOVA. Optimal inclusion levels of 70.5 g/kg for TFI and 70.0 g/kg for AWFI were significantly established with 99% regression coefficient. This implies that the quantity of Leucaena leaf meal intake continued increasing up to 70.50 g/kg inclusion levels before it started reducing; hence, the optimal inclusion levels of Leucaena for best feed intake is at 70.5 g/kg at which point all other parameters of growth, haematology, and physiological parameters were not significantly affected.

Keywords: Epithelial cells; Feed efficiency; Growth rate; Haematology; Leaf-meal; Thyroid cells.

Purpose: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome that is usually considered as a set of physical deficits (unidimensional concept); however, it can also concern the psychological and social domains of human functioning (multidimensional concept). The FRAIL scale is a diagnostic tool which ascertains only physical frailty, whereas the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) is a diagnostic instrument for multidimensional frailty. The study investigates if non-robust physical status and multidimensional frailty affect the same individuals and whether simultaneous employment of the FRAIL scale and TFI identifies specific subgroups of elderly people which require different interventions.

Patients and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1024 community dwelling elderly individuals at the age of 65 years or older (mean age 72.6 ± 6.3 years; range 65-93 years) were evaluated with the FRAIL scale and TFI.

Results: According to the FRAIL scale, 52.9% of the subjects were physically non-robust, but according to TFI, 54.6% presented multidimensional frailty. These two diagnostic tools were concordant in their outcomes in 77.1% (ie, 42.3% of individuals were physically and multidimensionally frail but 34.8% were robust according to both two instruments); however, in 22.9% the outcomes were discordant. Consequently, by simultaneous employment of the FRAIL scale and TFI, four distinct functional categories have been distinguished: (i) non-robust physical status with multidimensional frailty, (ii) exclusive non-robust physical status, (iii) exclusive multidimensional frailty, and (iv) full robust status.

Conclusion: By applying simple physical and multidimensional frailty diagnostic tools, subgroups of elderly people may be identified that require specific management strategies to improve their functional status.

Keywords: aging; functional status; multidimensional frailty; physical frailty; psychological frailty; social frailty.

Background: Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome that can be screened using validated questionnaires. A commonly used assessment is the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), containing fifteen self-reported questions about components of frailty, with scores ranging from zero to fifteen (higher scores representing increased frailty and a cutoff score of greater than five used to diagnose frailty). Despite its widespread use, the TFI is not commonly used in Arabic-speaking countries, and there is an overall lack of Arabic-translated questionnaires to adequately detect and measure frailty for older adults in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) specifically for use with the Saudi population, and to examine reliability and construct validity among adults in senior-living facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A total of 84 community-dwelling older adults were enrolled (mean age = 72 ± 4.7 years). The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the TFI from English to Arabic was performed using standardized guidelines. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were examined in two visits, spaced one-week apart. Construct validity of the TFI against other measurements related to frailty was examined. The physical domain for TFI was validated against the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and gait speed (as part of the SPPB). The psychological domains were validated against the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the social domains were validated against the social domain scores from the WHOQOL-BREF.

Results: The internal consistency of the TFI with the overall KR-20 was 0.70. For the domain scores KR-20 was 0.68 for the physical, 0.57 for the psychological, and 0.42 for the social. The KR-20 after deletion of each item correlations ranged from 0.66 to 0.72. For the test-retest reliability with one-week interval, the ICC was 0.86 (95 % CI = 0.67-0.94). The Arabic TFI showed statistically significant association with other measurements related to frailty.

Conclusion: This study found that the translated Arabic (Saudi) TFI is a valid and reliable instrument in assessing the frailty among Saudi community-dwelling older adults. Our results suggest that the use of this Arabic-translated TFI for clinical screening of frailty in any primary health setting may aid continued understanding for the validity of this instrument and help provide a quantitative diagnostic tool for the prevention and treatment of frailty.

Keywords: Arabic Tilburg frailty indicator; Elderly; Frailty; Saudi.

Frailty increases individual vulnerability to external stressors and involves high risk for adverse geriatric outcomes. To date, few studies have addressed the role of emotion perception and its association with frailty in aged populations. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore whether a significant association between frailty and emotional experience exists in a sample of Italian community-dwelling older adults. Our sample consisted of 104 older adults (age 76±8 years; 59.6% women) living in Piedmont, Italy. Frailty was measured using the Italian version of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), and emotion perception was measured with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The Mini-Mental State Examination was used as a screening tool for cognitive functions (people with a score ≤20 points were excluded). One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), adjusted for interesting variables, and post hoc tests were performed where appropriate. According to the TFI, 57.7% of participants resulted as frail. Analysis showed a significant greater severity of frailty in the low positive affect (PA) group compared to the high PA group. Similarly, those with high negative affect (NA) showed significantly higher levels of frailty than the low NA group. As expected, significant differences for frailty were also found among the groups composed of 1) people with high PA and low NA, 2) people with low PA or high NA, and 3) people with low PA and high NA. Post hoc tests showed a greater severity of frailty in the second and in the third groups compared to the first one. Lastly, robust participants aged >75 years showed higher levels of PA than the group aged between 60 and 75 years. These findings demonstrate that both PA and NA may influence frailty, giving new insights for the evaluation and prevention of frailty in older adults.

OBJECTIVE

To identify patients with recurrent glioblastoma after temozolomide (TMZ) concurrent with and adjuvant to radiotherapy who could benefit from TMZ rechallenge at the time of disease progression.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 106 glioblastoma patients who had nonprogressive disease at first magnetic resonance imaging after completion of TMZ concurrent with and adjuvant to radiotherapy, a treatment-free interval (TFI) of at least 8 weeks and received TMZ rechallenge or a nitrosourea at the time of progression.

RESULTS

In patients with TFI ≥5 months, median survival was 17.7 and 11.6 months and median progression-free survival was 8.1 and 5.8 months in the TMZ and nitrosourea group, respectively. Longer TFI was associated with reduced risk for death (p = 0.002) and for disease progression (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

TFI ≥5 months represents a predictor of retained TMZ sensitivity.

OBJECTIVE

To observe thee efficacy of different ways of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for treating elderly coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.

METHODS

Totally 470 elderly CHD patients were classified to three age brackets (equal to or more than 85 years old, 60 to 74 years old, 75 to 84 years old). They were assigned to the transradial intervention (TRI) group (236 cases) and the transfemoral intervention (TFI) group (234 cases) according to different intervention pathways. Correlated indices and postoperative clinical efficacy were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A higher successful rate of surgery was obviously got in patients 85 years old or older than 85 than in those 60 to 74 years old and 75 to 84 years old (P <0. 05). The incidence of major cardiovascular events (MACE) was reduced at post-operative 12 and 24 months in patients 85 years old or older than 85 (P <0. 05). The case number for changing intervention pathway were increased in the TRI group with statistical difference (P <0. 05). Compared with the TFI group, the case number for changing intervention pathway was increased; the time for arteriopuncture, the time for catheterization, and the time for X-ray exposure were prolonged; the time for postoperative bedding were obviously shortened; the incidence of vascular complications at the puncture site were lowered. The incidence of postoperative 12-month MACE was lowered, all with statistical difference (all P <0. 05). The incidence of MACE within postoperative 24-month MACE decreased in patients 60 to 74 years old and 75 to 84 years old (P <0. 05). The incidence of MACE within postoperative 24 months increased in patients 85 years old or older than 85 of the TRI group with statistical difference (P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONS

TRI can be preferably chosen for PC in treating elderly CHD patients.

According to available literary data, an increased nuclear volume of endocrine gland cells, various structures of the diencephalon and endocrine ovarial structures could be observed when the respective organs and structures were more active; a decreased nuclear volume was revealed when the activity of the respective organ or its structure was suppressed (Mess, 1962; Maracek and Arendarcik, 1976, 1978). Attention was paid to the karyometric analysis of follicular cells of the stratum granulosum (SG) and secretory cells of the theca folliculi interna (TFI) during selection of the dominant ovulatory follicle (DOF). The aim of this study was to determine differences in hte nuclear volumes of the granulosa follicular cells and the secretory cells of the inner theca of the DO1F in comparison with the largest atretic follicles (AF) as well as to verify the use of karyometric variance analysis for the evaluation of the selection process of the dominant ovulatory tertiary follicle. Histological sections were prepared from large DOF and AF from the ovaries of 18 sheep aged 3-5 years and held under standard conditions of a controlled herd. Control group I (n = 3) consisted of Wallachian sheep on day 15 of the sexual cycle (day 0). Excisions of ovaries from the animals of the experimental group (n = 3) were made on day 16 of the cycle after i.m. treatment with 120 micrograms GnRH 10 and 7 hours prior to sampling. Control group II (n = 3) consisted of Tsigai sheep at the 9th or 10th day of the oestrous cycle (hour 0) and three experimental groups (n = 3 each) consisted of Tsigai sheep 24, 48 and 72 hours after i.m. treatment with 125 micrograms cloprostenol. After excision the ovaries were fixed in neutral formaline, cut into 4 mm thick transverse segments and subjected to standard histological processing. After staining with Harris' HE the 5-7 microns thick sections were karyometrically evaluated at a magnification of 2200 x according to the method of Palkovits (1961) using the PC programme Karyotest 03 (Maracek et al., 1991). 200 cells were evaluated from each sample and both cell types; altogether 7200 cells were examined. GnRH treatment (Dirigestran inj. Spofa) increased the nuclear volume of follicular cells (SG) in the dominant ovulatory follicle in the process of selection (Tab. I, Fig. 1). The former, however, reduced the nuclear volume not only of the SG follicular cells of LAF (Tab. II, Fig. 2) but also of the secretory cells of both the DOF and AF theca interna (Tab. II, Figs. 3, 4). Cloprostenol treatment (Oestrophan inj. Spofa) affected the follicular cells of the granulosa in the dominant ovulatory follicle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Dentsply Cavitron Diamond Inserts provide improved efficacy in removing calculus from furcations. A total of 60 extracted human mandibular molar teeth had artificial calculus applied to the furcations, then were randomly treated with either sharp universal Gracey curettes (HAND), a plain ultrasonic TFI-10 tip in a cavitron instrument (CAV), or one of 2 diamond-coated cavitron instruments (TFI-10 fine-grit (FIN) and TFI-10 medium-grit (MED)) When the time needed to completely clean the furcations was evaluated, MED was the fastest, followed by FIN, CAV, and HAND, respectively. All of the powered instruments were faster than hand curettes with regard to effective in vitro calculus removal in furcations. The use of these types of instruments would reduce the time required to perform periodontal surgery and might improve regenerative therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical efficacies regarding femoral artery or radial artery approaches on coronary artery interventional therapies.

METHODS

360 patients were randomly divided into intervention group via femoral artery (TFI) or transradial coronary intervention (TRI) group. Postoperative observation on the two said groups of patients with vascular lesion characteristics, feasibility factors (success rate of interventional therapy puncture, time of operation and hospitalization) and complications, were made.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups on the characteristics of vascular lesion (P>0.05). Success rates of the two groups were 97.78% and 96.67% respectively. The differences on success rate, time of operation were not statistically significant (P>0.05) while the average time of puncture, the mean duration of hospitalization and the rates of complications were significantly different (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The two methods under comparison had similar success rate and feasibility. However, the complications related to radial artery interventional therapy were much less than the femoral artery interventional therapy. As having better safety, radial artery interventional therapy seemed to have applicable value on clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety, feasibility, procedural, and long-term outcomes by the transradial (TR) approach as compared to transfemoral (TF) approach in patients with triple vessel coronary artery disease undergoing one-stage percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND

The feasibility, safety, and efficacy between the TR and TF approach for coronary interventional treatment have been compared in some complex situations including AMI and unprotected left main disease. However, in terms of triple vessel disease (3VD) intervention, there has been no comparison regarding procedural and long-term outcomes between the TR and TF approach.

METHODS

A total of 4,974 consecutive patients (TR n = 3,856, TF n = 1,118), who were diagnosed with 3VD without LM disease and underwent one-stage percutaneous revascularization, were enrolled in the study. Procedural results and clinical outcomes were obtained through database and follow-up. We used the propensity score matching method and obtained 930 pairs of patients with comparable baseline data in order to compare the procedural and long-term outcome between TR and TF groups. In the study cohort, risk reduction of all the clinical outcomes were evaluated with Cox's proportional-hazards models. Cumulative incidences concerning safety and efficacy of the cohort were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and a comparison was made utilizing the log-rank test.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Regarding procedural results, no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups, with the exception of a decreased hospital stay (TR 7.49 ± 4.46 days vs. TF 8.63 ± 6.23 days, P < 0.0001) and fewer bleedings (TR 1.0% vs. TF 2.9, P = 0.003) in the TRI group. After an average 21-month follow-up, the all-cause mortality (TR 1.7% vs. TF 4.2%, P = 0.0014; HR 0.44, 0.25-0.79) was significantly lower with TRI patients. Other clinical outcomes were comparable between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

As compared to TFI, TRI for 3VD intervention is feasible, safe, and associated with similar procedural success, shorter hospitalization, reduced bleeding, lower incidence of death, and comparable long-term efficacy.

This study aimed to validate quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) as a diagnostic tool for mild and moderate enamel fluorosis in permanent teeth, comparing it to visual diagnosis and histological assessment completed using polarized light microscopy (PLM). The buccal surfaces of 139 teeth were visually classified using the Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index (TFI) into sound (TFI 0; n = 17), mild (TFI 1-2; n = 69), and moderate (TFI 3-4; n = 43) fluorosis. Fluorosis was then assessed with QLF (variables ΔF, A, and ΔQ at 5-, 15-, and 30-radiance thresholds) using as reference areas the entire surface and a region of interest (ROI), identified as the most representative region of a fluorosis lesion. PLM images of longitudinal thin sections including the ROI were assessed for histological changes. Correlations among TFI, PLM, and QLF were determined. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was conducted to determine QLF's diagnostic accuracy when compared to the TFI and PLM assessments. This was used to assess the probability that the images were correctly ranked according to severity as determined by PLM and TFI. A positive correlation was found between QLF and PLM, and between QLF and TFI. QLF showed the highest sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of mild fluorosis. There was also a strong agreement between TFI and PLM. The selection of a ROI resulted in a stronger correlation with TFI and PLM than when the entire surface was used. The study results indicate that defining an ROI for QLF assessments is a valid method for the diagnosis of mild and moderate enamel fluorosis.

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a meaningful MRI technique owing to its unique relation to actual physical tissue magnetic properties. The reconstruction of QSM is usually decomposed into three sub-problems, which are solved independently. However, this decomposition does not conform to the causes of the problems, and may cause discontinuity of parameters and error accumulation. In this paper, a fast reconstruction method named fast TFI based on total field inversion was proposed. It can accelerate the total field inversion by using a specially selected preconditioner and advanced solution of the weighted L₀ regularization. Due to the employment of an effective model, the proposed method can efficiently reconstruct the QSM of brains with lesions, where other methods may encounter problems. Experimental results from simulation and in vivo data verified that the new method has better reconstruction accuracy, faster convergence ability and excellent robustness, which may promote clinical application of QSM.

Embryonic development relies on activating and repressing regulatory influences that are faithfully integrated at the core promoter of individual genes. In vertebrates, the basal machinery recognizing the core promoter includes TATA-binding protein (TBP) and two TBP-related factors. In Xenopus embryos, the three TBP family factors are all essential for development and are required for expression of distinct subsets of genes. Here, we report on a non-canonical TBP family-insensitive (TFI) mechanism of transcription initiation that involves mesoderm and organizer gene expression. Using TBP family single- and triple-knockdown experiments, α-amanitin treatment, transcriptome profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that TFI gene expression cannot be explained by functional redundancy, is supported by active transcription and shows normal recruitment of the initiating form of RNA polymerase II to the promoter. Strikingly, recruitment of Gcn5 (also known as Kat2a), a co-activator that has been implicated in transcription initiation, to TFI gene promoters is increased upon depletion of TBP family factors. TFI genes are part of a densely connected TBP family-insensitive T-box-Otx2-Gsc interaction network. The results indicate that this network of genes bound by Vegt, Eomes, Otx2 and Gsc utilizes a novel, flexible and non-canonical mechanism of transcription that does not require TBP or TBP-related factors.

BACKGROUND

Tumor of the follicular infundibulum (TFI) is considered as a rare benign neoplasm providing two distinctive clinical patterns: the solitary and the eruptive form. The clinical presentations resemble many other dermatologic conditions and require histopathological study to make a definite diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To inform physicians of a clinical presentation of TFI.

METHODS

We report on a 50-year-old man who presented with multiple asymptomatic hypopigmented macules resistant to the treatments. The histopathological study was consistent with tumors of the follicular infundibulum.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypopigmented macules are one of the more common clinical presentations in dermatological practices. It is important to include TFI in the differential diagnosis when a patient with hypopigmented lesions does not respond to the treatment based on the clinical diagnosis.

This study aims at comparing low-pressure membrane fouling obtained with two different secondary effluents at bench and pilot-scale based on the determination of two fouling indices: the total fouling index (TFI) and the hydraulically irreversible fouling index (HIFI). The main objective was to investigate if simpler and less costly bench-scale experimentation can substitute for pilot-scale trials when assessing the fouling potential of secondary effluent in large scale membrane filtration plants producing recycled water. Absolute values for specific flux and total fouling index for the bench-scale system were higher than those determined from pilot-scale, nevertheless a statistically significant correlation (r(2) = 0.63, α = 0.1) was obtained for the total fouling index at both scales. On the contrary no such correlation was found for the hydraulically irreversible fouling index. Advanced water characterization tools such as excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEM) and liquid chromatography with organic carbon detection (LC-OCD) were used for the characterization of foulants. On the basis of statistical analysis, biopolymers and humic substances were found to be the major contribution to total fouling (r(2) = 0.95 and r(2) = 0.88, respectively). Adsorption of the low molecular weight neutral compounds to the membrane was attributed to hydraulically irreversible fouling (r(2) = 0.67).

The hemodynamic effects of propofol (3 mg/kg) during anesthetic management of 10 patients undergoing minor urologic procedures were evaluated by noninvasive thoracic electrical bioimpedance method. Cardiac output, cardiac index, systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressures and EVI/TFI (an index of myocardial function) decreased significantly in ten minutes from starting of propofol injection, while the heart rate remained unchanged.