Introduction: The Chinese herb da huang (DH) (Rhubarb) is commonly used for GIF intensive care unit (ICU)/pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) gastrointestinal failure (GIF) patients in China. However, the potential preventive and therapeutic effect of DH in these patients has not yet been studied systematically.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of DH in treating ICU/PICU GIF patients with the most recent evidence.

Methods: We systematically searched 7 databases from inception to March 30, 2018. RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform a meta-analysis. GRADE methodology was applied to evaluate the quality of evidence for each outcome. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018092710) in advance.

Results: Seven studies comprising 788 pediatric or adult participants were included in this analysis. Three indicators, including GIF occurrence rates (gastrointestinal mucosal hemorrhage, enteroplegia), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)-related items (occurrence rates of MODS, mortality rates of MODS) and duration in the ICU was analyzed. The GIF occurrence rate meta-analysis result was (RR 0.47, CI 95% 0.37-0.60; P = .95); MODS related items indicator result was (RR 0.44, CI 95% 0.33-0.59; P = .41); ICU duration ICU result was (RR -2.87, CI 95% -3.53--2.21; P = .40). The safety of Chinese herb DH (Rhubarb) remains unclear.

Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that the Chinese herb rhubarb (DH) powder combined with Western medicine was inferior to Western medicine alone in terms of preventive and therapeutic effects in ICU/PICU patients in terms of decreasing GIF occurrence rates (gastrointestinal mucosal hemorrhage and enteroplegia), occurrence rates of MODS, mortality from MODS, and shortened duration time in the ICU/PICU. However, larger sample sizes and rigorously-designed studies are necessary to conclusively determine the association between DH powder and outcomes in ICU/PICU GIF patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level equivalent to the lower inflection point (LIP) could be identified by evaluation of the airway pressure, flow (f1. gif" BORDER="0">), and volume vs time waveforms during partial liquid ventilation (PLV).

METHODS

Prospective application of PEEP during PLV in a healthy animal model.

METHODS

University hospital animal laboratory.

METHODS

Five healthy sheep weighing 30 kg each.

METHODS

The sequential application of 0 to 20 cm H(2)O PEEP in 2.5-cm H(2)O steps during PLV with both pressure and volume ventilation.

METHODS

Analysis of the pressure, volume, and f1. gif" BORDER="0"> waveforms as PEEP is sequentially increased.

RESULTS

At 0 cm H(2)O PEEP, VT was markedly reduced compared with PEEP VT at>> or = 7.5 cm H(2)O (p < 0.05) in pressure control ventilation (PCV), and peak inspiratory pressure minus PEEP was markedly increased compared with PEEP at>> or = 5.0 cm H(2)O (p < 0.05) in volume control ventilation. At 10 cm H(2)O PEEP, all waveforms began to stabilize, and no significant differences in any variable assessed were measured at>> 12.5 cm H(2)O PEEP.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of PEEP during PLV markedly alters airway waveforms. Low PEEP decreases VT in PCV and increases airway pressure in VCV. The PEEP level equal to the LIP during PLV can be grossly estimated from airway waveforms. PEEP at>> or = 10 cm H(2)O is needed to normalize gas delivery to functional residual capacity in the uninjured lung that is partially filled with perfluorocarbon.

An investigation was made on the frog stomach myenteric plexus with 2 different histochemical techniques. Neuronal perikarya were stained with nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide-diaphorase (NADHd), while the acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE) staining showed rather the axoarchitectonic arrangement of the frog myenteric plexus. In double-labelled "whole mounts", NADHd-positive cell bodies and AChE-positive nerve processes were revealed. Some of the nerve cells and neuronal processes did not exhibit AChE activity at all. Since glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence (GIF) was not detected in the myenteric plexus, the presence of catecholamines can be excluded. As a consequence of these observations, we suggest the presence of a non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic intrinsic neuronal system in the frog stomach myenteric plexus, containing purines or peptides as transmitters.

The solubility of granulopoiesis inhibiting factor (GIF) in various aqueous and organic solvents was investigated. GIF is soluble in water, 10% acetic acid, and 10% pyridine. It is not extractable by 1-butanol at low and high pH. A high solubility was found in polar organic solvents (ethanol-acetone 9:1, and chloroform-methanol 1:1), whereas GIF seems to be insoluble in pure chloroform.

Since Arimura et al (1975) reported the radioimmunoassay for somatostatin (GIF), the concentration of GIF in various organ and brain regions were determined by radio-immunoassay. Dubois et al (1975) reported that immunohistochemically somatostatin was located in the discrete cells of the pancreas as well as the hypothalamus, and from this result, they presented the concept of local hormone instead of systemic hormone which was up to that time accepted in endocrinology. In this study, we developed the high specific anti-GIF serum using rabbits, and with the micro immunodiffusion method, we demonstrated that the precipitin band formed a circular fusion between the GIF and anti-GIF serum. This pattern of reaction was also seen in decidual immunodiffusion. In addition, we developed the radioimmunoassay for GIF using this anti-serum and measured immunoreactive GIF-like substances in villi and decidua of early pregnancy. The concentration of GIF-like substances with 2 N acetic acid extracted of villi and decidua were 0 to 30 pg/0.1 g dry weight. At the same time, we demonstrated the presence of GIF-like substance-containing cells in the villi and decidua by indirect immunofluorescent method. The intensity of immunofluorescence was in cytotrophoblast rather than syncytiotrophoblast, and decidual stromal cell also reacted to the immunofluorescence.

Endoscopy is an important tool in the diagnosis, follow-up and management of several gastrointestinal diseases. In experimental studies, the course and progression of gastrointestinal lesions are followed by sacrificing animals at specific time intervals and the disease is usually assessed postmortem. This approach has several disadvantages, including the requirement of a large number of experimental animals and the inability to evaluate and follow the progression of the same lesion. The present study tested the feasibility of performing a total colonoscopy with mucosal biopsies in small, young rats. Eighteen adult male Wistar rats with an average bodyweight of 194 g (range, 166-232 g) were used. Three bowel preparation regimes with different fasting times and doses of sodium-picosulfate and magnesium citrate were examined. A video gastroscope with a 4.9 mm outer diameter, 210/120˚ up/down tip deflection, 103 cm working length, 140˚ view field and a 2 mm working channel (GIF-N180, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) was used. The rats were anesthetized by inhalation of isoflurane prior to and during colonoscopy. Biopsies were obtained using biopsy forceps through the endoscope working channel. The animals were allowed to recover and were monitored for ~1 h, following the procedure. Sections from the biopsy samples taken during colonoscopy and colon tissue obtained during postmortem laparotomy were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The optimum results were obtained with the bowel preparation that involved rats fasting for 24 h and the administration of 1 and 2 ml of sodium-picosulfate/magnesium citrate at 24 and 12 h prior to colonoscopy, respectively. Colonoscopy was performed with minor complications, with the only difficulty arising when maneuvering the endoscope past the hepatic flexure. This was achieved by manual rotation of the endoscope shift to the right and left of a two-way endoscope. Taking biopsies with the forceps at full jaw length and swing resulted in perforation, which may be avoided by obtaining biopsies with the outer tip of the biopsy forceps.

[35S]S-[5-(4-benzoylphenyl)pentyl]glutathione (GIF-0017) as a biochemical probe targeting the ATP-dependent organic anion transporters GS-X pumps was synthesized by the reaction of [35S]glutathione and excess 4-(5-bromo)pentylbenzophenone under alkaline conditions, with the radiochemical yield of 24-33% after HPLC purification. Photolysis of the mixture of [35S]GIF-0017 and plasma membrane vesicles prepared from the MRP1 cDNA-transfected LLC-PK1 cells resulted in radio-labeling of a 180-kDa membrane protein. Immunoprecipitation and western blotting using an anti-MRP1 monoclonal antibody confirmed that the [35S]GIF-0017-labeled protein was the MRPI/GS-X pump.

Thirty-four heifers were sampled randomly from each of the Hereford (He), Charolais (Ch) and Simmental (Si) herds at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center at 2 d to 14 mo of age to examine body chemical composition and tissue distribution. Six heifers per breed were slaughtered after calorimetry at 2 d, 3 mo, 7 mo, 10 mo and 14 mo of age, and four others at 8 mo, to measure weight of empty body (EBW), water, fat, ash and protein as residual, in four fractions: carcass (CAR), head, hide and shanks (HHS), gastrointestinal tract plus internal fat (GIF) and visceral organs plus blood (VOB). Fasted live weight from birth to 14 mo increased from 39 to 414 kg for Ch, 38 to 385 kg for Si and 33 to 356 kg for He. Corresponding mean composition of EBW increased from 58 to 67% CAR and from 7 to 13% GIF but declined from 26 to 15% HHS and from 9 to 6% VOB. The water content of EBW declined from 73 to 51%, protein from 20 to 18% and ash from 4.3 to 3.5%, whereas fat increased from 3 to 28% and protein content of fat-free OM increased from 22% to 26%. Composition of CAR was similar to EBW but fat content increased more with age in GIF, less in HHS and least in VOB. Distribution of fat-free tissue changed from 58 to 66% in CAR, 26 to 18% in HHS, 7 to 8% in GIF and 9 to 8% in VOB. The EBW of Ch contained more CAR but less HHS than EBW of Si and HE. The EBW of Si and Ch contained more water and protein and less FAT than EBW of HE. The fatter He had proportionately less of their fat-free tissue in CAR (63%) and more in HHS (21%) and GIF (9%) than the Ch (66, 19, and 8%), with Si (64, 20 and 8%) intermediate. These age and breed differences in composition and tissue distribution may explain some of the variation in maintenance requirements.

In harmony with our studies on the activation of hydrocarbons by Gif chemistry, we have, in the first part of this paper, studied the mechanism of the lipoxygenase enzymes using soybean lipoxygenase as a model. We have shown with trimethyl phosphite that no free radical is released by the enzyme. In a second part, we have studied the mechanism of the alpha-ketoglutarate dependent enzymes and shown evidence for a mechanism involving the reduction of an intermediate hydroperoxide by the alpha-ketoglutaric acid.

BACKGROUND

To determine the relationship between the serum concentration of trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) and gastrointestinal failure (GIF) in pediatric critical illness in order to provide knowledge for disease management.

METHODS

We enrolled 137 cases and divided them into three groups, including a control group (group A), critical illness without GIF (group B), and critical illness with GIF (group C). The serum TFF3 concentration was determined by ELISA and compared among the groups.

RESULTS

Serum TFF3 concentrations measured before the occurrence of GIF in group C were significantly higher than in groups A and B (P<0.01). Under the conditions of GIF in group C, serum TFF3 concentration was significantly related to the gastrointestinal tract function score (r=-0.712). Cox's proportional hazards model analysis showed that the serum TFF3 concentrations at the time of occurrence of GIF, and 48hours later, could be used as prognostic factors in critically ill pediatric patients with GIF (r=1.443 and 1.872, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

TFF3 may play an important role in predicting GIF in pediatric critical illness and has a protective function in the mucosal repair process.

Growth-regulating factors (GRFs) are unique transcription factors in plants. GRFs can interact with SNH (SYT N-terminal homology) domains in GRF-interacting factor (GIF) proteins via the N-terminal QLQ (Gln, Leu, Gln) domain to form functional complexes and participate in the regulation of downstream gene expression. In this study, we systematically identified the GRF gene family and GIF gene family in wheat and its relatives comprising Triticum urartu, Triticum dicoccoides, and Aegilops tauschii. Thirty GRF gene members are present in wheat, which are distributed on 12 chromosomes and they have 2-5 protein-coding regions. They all contain QLQ and WRC (Trp, Arg, Cys) conserved domains. Wheat possesses only eight members of the GIF gene family, which are distributed on six chromosomes. All wheat GIF (TaGIF) proteins have highly conserved SNH and QG (Gln, Gly) domains. The wheat GRF (TaGRF) gene family has 13 pairs of segmental duplication genes and no tandem duplication genes; the TaGIF gene family has two pairs of segmental duplication genes and no tandem duplication genes. It is speculated that segmental duplication events may be the main reason for the amplification of TaGRF gene family and TaGIF gene family. Based on published transcriptome data and qRT-PCR results of 8 TaGRF genes and 4 TaGIF genes, all of the genes responded strongly to osmotic stress, and the expression levels of TaGRF21 and TaGIFGIF genes in order to identify candidate genes for use in stress-resistant wheat breeding programs.

A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining a weight loss and dysphagia. Gastro-intestinal fiberscopy (GIF) examination showed an early gastric cancer located at cardia. Because of his severe co-morbidities, such as unruptured intracranial aneurysm and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, he was considered to be inoperable and only followed periodically by the GIF examination every half year. After 3 years since his first examination, the gastric cancer progressed to be T2 advanced gastric cancer. Chemo-radiation therapy (CRT) was administered for consecutive 5 weeks in the following fashion: weekly docetaxel (DOC) div 20 mg/m2 x 5 weeks, and RT 1.8 Gy/day x 5 days/week x 5 weeks. Although the CRT was completed on schedule, diarrhea of grade 3, serum creatinine elevation of grade 2, and esophageal candidiasis appeared during the therapy. A month later after the completion of CRT, the tumor disappeared thoroughly, leaving the tiny redness on the mucosa of cardia. Two months later after CRT, GIF examination reconfirmed the disappearance of the tumor. The patient has shown a clinical complete response (CR), suggesting the efficacy of CRT for inoperable gastric cancer.

We document the discovery of the first granular iron formation (GIF) of Archaean age and present textural and geochemical results that suggest these formed through microbial iron oxidation. The GIF occurs in the Nconga Formation of the ca. 3.0-2.8 Ga Pongola Supergroup in South Africa and Swaziland. It is interbedded with oxide and silicate facies micritic iron formation (MIF). There is a strong textural control on iron mineralization in the GIF not observed in the associated MIF. The GIF is marked by oncoids with chert cores surrounded by magnetite and calcite rims. These rims show laminated domal textures, similar in appearance to microstromatolites. The GIF is enriched in silica and depleted in Fe relative to the interbedded MIF. Very low Al and trace element contents in the GIF indicate that chemically precipitated chert was reworked above wave base into granules in an environment devoid of siliciclastic input. Microbially mediated iron precipitation resulted in the formation of irregular, domal rims around the chert granules. During storm surges, oncoids were transported and deposited in deeper water environments. Textural features, along with positive δ56 Fe values in magnetite, suggest that iron precipitation occurred through incomplete oxidation of hydrothermal Fe2+ by iron-oxidizing bacteria. The initial Fe3+ -oxyhydroxide precipitates were then post-depositionally transformed to magnetite. Comparison of the Fe isotope compositions of the oncoidal GIF with those reported for the interbedded deeper water iron formation (IF) illustrates that the Fe2+ pathways and sources for these units were distinct. It is suggested that the deeper water IF was deposited from the evolved margin of a buoyant Fe2+aq -rich hydrothermal plume distal to its source. In contrast, oncolitic magnetite rims of chert granules were sourced from ambient Fe2+aq -depleted shallow ocean water beyond the plume.

12 kDa subunit of glycosylation-inhibiting factor (GIF) is an abundant protein that can be isolated to homogeneity from different mammalian organs by successive application of the carboxymethylcellulose cation exchanger CM52, preparative flat-bed isoelectrofocusing and repeated application of CM52-cellulose. Several isoforms of the 12 kDa GIF subunit exist in mammalian tissues. Conformational stability of two isoforms of a 12 kDa porcine GIF subunit have been studied by CD. Conformation of the protein remains stable within the range 20 degrees to 60 degrees C. Over 60 degrees C the protein undergoes irreversible denaturation. The 12 kDa GIF subunit is not stable within the pH range 2 to 3, adopts quasi-native structure within the pH range 3.5 to 5 while it remains stable between the pHs 6 to 10. The 12 kDa GIF subunit strongly binds to CM52-cellulose from which it can be eluted at concentrations of NaCl higher than 0.6 M. The GIF subunit may also be eluted from the modified cellulose using certain glycoproteins and sugars. High abundance of the 12 kDa GIF subunit in different mammalian tissues and its capacity to bind certain glycoproteins and sugars may suggest that the protein might be involved in regulatory mechanisms of glycoprotein transport (chaperone for glycoproteins) and modulation of interactions between secreted glycoproteins and the cell surface receptors.

GIFs are enjoying increasing popularity on social media as a format for data-driven storytelling with visualization; simple visual messages are embedded in short animations that usually last less than 15 seconds and are played in automatic repetition. In this paper, we ask the question, "What makes a data-GIF understandable?" While other storytelling formats such as data videos, infographics, or data comics are relatively well studied, we have little knowledge about the design factors and principles for "data-GIFs". To close this gap, we provide results from semi-structured interviews and an online study with a total of 118 participants investigating the impact of design decisions on the understandability of data-GIFs. The study and our consequent analysis are informed by a systematic review and structured design space of 108 data-GIFs that we found online. Our results show the impact of design dimensions from our design space such as animation encoding, context preservation, or repetition on viewers understanding of the GIF's core message. The paper concludes with a list of suggestions for creating more effective Data-GIFs.

Endocytoscopy has the potential to reduce the need for histologic examination of biopsy specimens in cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Up to now, two types of endocytoscope have been used: the probe type and the integrated type. In this study we examined the utility of a newly developed endocytoscope, the 'GIF-Y0002,' which has a single lens allowing consecutive magnification from the conventional endoscopy level up to ×380. Using the GIF-Y0002, we examined 24 examples of normal esophageal mucosa to clarify the appearance of the microvasculature of the normal squamous epithelium in vivo. We also examined 11 cases of esophageal cancer in the same way, employing methylene blue as a vital dye to stain the surface cells. In normal squamous epithelium, we clarified the relationship between the subepithelial capillary network, IPCLs and subepithelial venules. With methylene blue staining, we observed typical squamous cells (low nuclear density and low N/C ratio without nuclear abnormality). When cancerous lesions were observed using lower-power magnification, we were able to visualize their microvascular architecture to the same extent as when conventional magnifying endoscopy was used. Furthermore, at higher magnification, we were able to visualize the features of blood flow in both superficial and advanced cancer. Methylene blue staining revealed an increase of nuclear density in all cases of cancer. The pathologist agreed to omit biopsy histology in 81.8% (9/11) of cancer cases considering the nuclear density and nuclear abnormality. The GIF-Y0002 provides information on cell abnormality in addition to the features revealed by currently available magnifying endoscopy.

Cells of the T cell hybridoma 23A4 produce IgE-binding factors lacking N-linked oligosaccharides (unglycosylated form) when they are incubated with IgE alone. In the presence of glycosylation-enhancing factor (GEF) or bradykinin, however, the same cells produce IgE-binding factors with N-linked oligosaccharides (glycosylated form). Switching the cells from the formation of unglycosylated IgE-binding factors to the formation of glycosylated factors was accompanied by the release of both glycosylation-inhibiting factor (GIF) in its phosphorylated form, i.e., phosphorylated lipomodulin, and arachidonate from the cells. Analysis of the biochemical processes for the release of GIF from 23A4 cells showed that affinity-purified GEF or bradykinin induced transient phospholipid methylation and diacylglycerol (DAG) formation, and enhanced 45Ca uptake into the cells. Inhibitors of methyltransferases, i.e., 3-deaza-adenosine plus L-homocysteine thiolactone, inhibited not only phospholipid methylation but also DAG formation and GIF release. Exogenously added 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl glycerol, i.e., a DAG that is permeable to the plasma membrane, induced the release of GIF from the cells. It was also found that 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) switched 23A4 cells and normal lymphocytes to the selective formation of N-glycosylated IgE-binding factor, and induced the release of GIF from the cells. 32PO4-labeled lipomodulin was detected in the extract of 23A4 cells 3 to 5 min after the addition of GEF, bradykinin, or TPA. These results indicate that GEF and bradykinin induced the activation of methyltransferases and phospholipase C for the formation of DAG, which in turn activated Ca2+-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) for the phosphorylation of lipomodulin. Because lipomodulin loses phospholipase inhibitory activity after phosphorylation, increased phospholipase A2 activity would be expressed by this process.

Ammonium can enter stormwater control measures (SCMs) with the influent, but is also the intermediate product between organic nitrogen and nitrate, and it is important to retain and treat ammonium within the SCM. In this study the use of aluminosilicate aggregates (CA) and clinoptilolite zeolite (ZT) was investigated under SCM (column) conditions. ZT was found to have the highest capacity (0.45 mg>-N/g ZT vis-à-vis 0.33 mg>-N/g CA) at 2.5 mg NH4-N/L. The presence of Ca2+ and K+ was found to reduce the capacity of the media significantly. Increasing the contact time from 10 minutes to 47 minutes enhanced the removal efficiency of the system by 70% for CA and 23% for ZT, respectively. Finally, changes in the influent ammonium concentration resulted in successful removal during concentration increases, but desorption of ammonium for sudden concentration reduction. The use of ZT in media-based SCMs is recommended for ammonium removal.

Identification of nitrogen (N) sources is important in water quality control and management. Nitrogen pollution can lead to eutrophication of waterbodies and high concentrations of nitrate in drinking water can pose potential health problems. The 15N isotope and nitrogen fluxes budget approach is useful for determining the source of> to surface waters. In this study, mass balance and 15N isotope approaches and nitrogen flux budgets were applied to identify total nitrogen (TN) sources and nitrogen transformation processes in the Menlou Reservoir (MR), Jiaodong Peninsula, China. The different fractions of nitrogen and their 15N isotope signatures were analyzed in the reservoir water, river water, groundwater, soil, and atmospheric precipitation. The results indicate that surface runoff pollution (e.g., fertilizer and animal manure) is the main source of> in MR. High concentrations of TN in MR are caused by low nitrogen self-purification (denitrification) rate, low sediment adsorption capacity, and the influx of> rich groundwater.

The objective of the present work was to study the structure of epiphyton in water bodies significantly differing in the degree of their contamination. In the studied water bodies, the concentration of ammonia (>) accounted for 0.04-74.00 mg/L; nitrite (>), 0.002-1.750 mg/L; nitrate (>), 0.13-58.00 mg/L; inorganic compounds of phosphorus (Pinorg), 0.041-0.272 mg/L; chloride (Cl-), 34.5-560.5 mg/L; whereas the content of organic matter (DO) was 18.0-81.0 mg O/L. The numbers of algae were determined by a direct count. Biomass was calculated by the count cell volume method. The Generic Diatom Index, the Pantle-Buck saprobic index, and the Shannon index of species diversity were used to analyze algal community structure. This study found that epiphyton responded to heavy pollution with changes in its species richness, taxonomic structure, species composition, quantitative indices, numbers and biomass structure, dominant complex, and ecological spectrum.

Background: Antibiotic stewardship programs in primary care are necessary to reduce the estimated 30% of inappropriately written antibiotic prescriptions and reduce the spread of microbial resistance. Most programs focus on educating prescribers, but this intervention focused on educating patients.

Objectives: To develop and implement an antibiotic stewardship program in a primary care clinic to educate patients with upper respiratory infections (URIs) about antibiotic use and to assess the effectiveness of the program through antibiotic prescribing rates.

Methods: Using materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Be Antibiotics Aware program, posters on antibiotic use were placed in the exam rooms, graphic interchange formats (GIFs) and memes were displayed on exam room monitors, patient-provider discussions on antibiotic use were held, and written information for symptom management of URIs was provided. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted to assess antibiotic prescribing rates by four prescribers in a primary care clinic for September and October 2020 and compared to the same time period for 2019.

Results: The rate of total antibiotic prescriptions decreased by 12.6% (P = 0.044) and the rate of repeat consultation antibiotic prescriptions decreased by 12.2% (P = 0.007), whereas the rate of antibiotics prescribed at the time of the visit remained unchanged (P = 0.937). All providers had decreased rates of antibiotic prescribing after the intervention.

Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that providing education about antibiotics to patients in need of treatment for URIs may reduce the rate of antibiotics prescribed in primary care; however, further research is warranted.

Keywords: Antibiotic stewardship; education; prescriptions; primary care; quality improvement; upper respiratory infections.

Gait-related back movements require coordination of multiple extremities including the flexible trunk. Ageing and chronic back pain influence these adjustments. These complex coordinations can advantageously be quantified by information theoretically based communication measures such as the gait information flow (GIF). Nine back pain patients (aged 61+/-10 yr) and 12 controls (aged 38+/-10 yr) were investigated during normal walking across a distance of 300 m. The back movements were measured as distances between characteristic points (cervical spine CS, thoracic spine TS, lumbar spine LS) by the sonoSens Monitor, a system for mobile motion analysis. Gait information flow and regularity indices (RI1: short prediction horizon of 100 ms, RI2: longer prediction horizon of walking period) were assessed as communication characteristics. All indices were non-parametrically tested for group differences. Sensitivity and specificity were assessed by bivariate logistic regression models. We found regularity indices systematically dependent on measurement points, information flow horizon and groups. In the patients RI1 was increased, but RI2 was decreased in comparison to the control group. These results quantitatively characterize the altered complex communication in the patients. We conclude that ageing and/or chronic back pain related dysfunctions of gait can advantageously be monitored by gait information flow characteristics of back movements measured as distances between characteristics points at the back surface.

Leaves are the primary organs for photosynthesis and as such have a pivotal role for plant growth and development. Leaf development is a multi-factorial and dynamic process involving many genes that regulate size, shape, and differentiation. The processes that mainly drive leaf development are cell proliferation and cell expansion, and numerous genes have been identified that, when ectopically expressed or down-regulated, increase cell number and/or cell size during leaf growth. Many of the genes regulating cell proliferation are functionally interconnected and can be grouped in regulatory modules. Here, we review our current understanding of six important gene regulatory modules affecting cell proliferation during Arabidopsis leaf growth: DA1-EOD1, GRF-GIF, SWI/SNF, GA-DELLA, KLU, and PEAPOD. Furthermore, we discuss how post-mitotic cell expansion and these six modules regulating cell proliferation make up final leaf size.