Direct speciation of soil phosphorus (P) by linear combination fitting (LCF) of P K-edge XANES spectra requires a standard set of spectra representing all major P species supposed to be present in the investigated soil. Here, available spectra of free- and cation-bound inositol hexakisphosphate (IHP), representing organic P, and of Fe, Al and Ca phosphate minerals are supplemented with spectra of adsorbed P binding forms. First, various soil constituents assumed to be potentially relevant for P sorption were compared with respect to their retention efficiency for orthophosphate and IHP at P levels typical for soils. Then, P K-edge XANES spectra for orthophosphate and IHP retained by the most relevant constituents were acquired. The spectra were compared with each other as well as with spectra of Ca, Al or Fe orthophosphate and IHP precipitates. Orthophosphate and IHP were retained particularly efficiently by ferrihydrite, boehmite, Al-saturated montmorillonite and Al-saturated soil organic matter (SOM), but far less efficiently by hematite, Ca-saturated montmorillonite and Ca-saturated SOM. P retention by dolomite was negligible. Calcite retained a large portion of the applied IHP, but no orthophosphate. The respective P K-edge XANES spectra of orthophosphate and IHP adsorbed to ferrihydrite, boehmite, Al-saturated montmorillonite and Al-saturated SOM differ from each other. They also are different from the spectra of amorphous FePO4, amorphous or crystalline AlPO4, Ca phosphates and free IHP. Inclusion of reference spectra of orthophosphate as well as IHP adsorbed to P-retaining soil minerals in addition to spectra of free or cation-bound IHP, AlPO4, FePO4 and Ca phosphate minerals in linear combination fitting exercises results in improved fit quality and a more realistic soil P speciation. A standard set of P K-edge XANES spectra of the most relevant adsorbed P binding forms in soils is presented.

Transcriptome analyses of bovine muscle tissue differing in intramuscular fat (IMF) content identified agouti signaling protein (ASIP) as a promising candidate gene for fat deposition. The protein is secreted from adipocytes and may serve as a signaling molecule in cross-talk between adipocytes and muscle fibers or other cells. Known receptors for ASIP are the melanocortin receptors (e.g., MC4R) and attractin (ATRN). The present study was conducted to determine relationships between the expression of ASIP and its receptors in different bovine tissues with fat deposition. Adipose tissues, liver, and longissimus muscle tissue were collected from 246 F2-generation bulls (Charolais × Holstein cross) and gene expression was measured with RT-qPCR. During analysis of subcutaneous fat (SCF) of all bulls, 17 animals were identified with a transposon-derived transcript (Exon2C) inserted in the ASIP gene and dramatically increased ASIP mRNA levels. Significant correlations between normalized mRNA values of SCF and phenotypic traits related to fat deposition were found in bulls without Exon2C. Three retrospectively assigned groups [Exon2C, n = 17; high carcass fat (HCF), n = 20; low carcass fat (LCF), n = 20] were further analyzed to verify expression differences and elucidate molecular reasons. Expression of ASIP could be detected in isolated muscle fibers and adipocytes of Exon2C bulls in contrast to HCF and LCF bulls, indicating ectopic ASIP expression if the transposon is present. Among adipose tissues, highest ASIP mRNA levels were measured in SCF with significantly higher values in HCF compared to LCF bulls (1.6-fold, P < 0.05). However, the protein abundance was below the detection limit in all bulls. Potential ASIP receptors were detected in most investigated tissues. The expression of MC4R was higher and of ATRN was lower in several tissues of LCF compared to HCF bulls, whereas MC1R was not differentially expressed. Bulls of the Exon2C group had lower ATRN mRNA values than HCF and LCF bulls in perirenal fat (PF), but higher (P < 0.05) values in muscle. Receptors were also expressed in tissues where ASIP mRNA was not detected. Consequently, those tissues could be targets for ASIP if it circulates.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the fatigue behaviour using a strain-life approach, and to determine the effect of water on the fatigue life of a NiTi rotary instrument.

METHODS

Instruments of one brand of NiTi engine-file (size 25, ProFile 0.04 and 0.06) were subjected to rotational bending either in air or under water, the number of revolutions to fracture (N(f)) being recorded using an optical counter and an electronic break-detection circuit. The effective surface strain amplitude (epsilon(a)) for each specimen was determined from the curvature of the instrument (on a photograph) and the diameter of the fracture cross-section (from a scanning electron micrograph of the fracture surface). Strain was plotted against fatigue life and the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) region identified. Values were examined using two-way analysis of variance for difference between various instrument-environment combinations.

RESULTS

A total of 212 instruments were tested. A strain-life relationship typical of metals was found. N(f) declined with an inverse power function dependence on epsilon(a). A fatigue limit was present at about 0.7% strain. The apparent fatigue-ductility exponent, a material constant for the LCF life of metals, was found to be between -0.45 and -0.55. There was a significant effect of the environmental condition on the LCF life, water being more detrimental than air.

CONCLUSIONS

The fatigue behaviour of NiTi rotary instrument is typical of most metals, provided that the analysis is based on the surface strain amplitude, and showed a high-cycle and a LCF region. The LCF life is adversely affected by water.

Biochar is an emerging low-cost sorbent used for removing trace metals from water. In this study, we evaluated the removal potential of aqueous hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) by biochars produced from soybean (Glycinemax L.) and burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus L.) residues. The highest Cr(VI) removal from solution occurred at low pH values (pH2-5), and adsorption decreased approximately tenfold when the pH increased from 2 to 10. Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) investigations showed that Cr(VI) species were reduced to trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) at the biochar surface following Cr(VI) adsorption. Linear combination fitting (LCF) of X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) data indicated that approximately 90% of the total Cr(VI) (962μM) was reduced to Cr(III). Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) fitting results yielded interatomic chromium (CrCr) distances consistent with the formation of Cr(III) precipitates as Cr(OH)3. Trivalent chromium is far less soluble than Cr(VI) and typically precipitates as amorphous Cr(III) solids. Thus, biochars produced by soybean and burcucumber residues are a promising technique for both adsorbing and reductively immobilizing Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.

Technical lignin from pulping, an aromatic polymer with ~59% carbon content, was employed to develop novel lignin-based nano carbon thin film (LCF)-copper foil composite films for thermal management applications. A highly graphitized, nanoscale LCF (~80-100 nm in thickness) was successfully deposited on both sides of copper foil by spin coating followed by annealing treatment at 1000 °C in an argon atmosphere. The conditions of annealing significantly impacted the morphology and graphitization of LCF and the thermal conductivity of LCF-copper foil composite films. The LCF-modified copper foil exhibited an enhanced thermal conductivity of 478 W m^-1 K^-1 at 333 K, which was 43% higher than the copper foil counterpart. The enhanced thermal conductivity of the composite films compared with that of the copper foil was characterized by thermal infrared imaging. The thermal properties of the copper foil enhanced by LCF reveals its potential applications in the thermal management of advanced electronic products and highlights the potential high-value utility of lignin, the waste of pulping.

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of preweaning limit-fed creep feed (LFC) with or without trace mineral fortification on trace mineral status and pre- and postweaning growth performance of beef calves. At 102 (Exp. 1) and 97 (Exp. 2) d before weaning, Brahman × British cow-calf pairs (calf age = 142 ± 20 d) were stratified by calving date and randomly allocated into 1 of 8 pastures (approximately 17 pairs/pasture annually; calf BW = 104 ± 5 and 132 ± 25 kg in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively). Treatments were randomly assigned to pastures and consisted of no calf supplementation (Nonsup; 2 pastures/experiment) and limit-fed supplements with (MIN+; 3 pastures/experiment) or without (MIN-; 3 pastures/experiment) trace mineral fortification. Supplements were limit fed in cow exclusion areas 3 times weekly in amounts to provide 0.23 kg/calf daily. In Exp. 1, supplements consisted of compressed cubes (approximately 3.0 by 6.5 cm) whereas in Exp. 2, supplements were offered in a loose meal mixture. At weaning, 15 and 9 heifers/treatment in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, were randomly selected to be transported (Exp. 1) or to receive an intramuscular injection of porcine red blood cells (PRBC; Exp. 2), each immediately preceding a 28-d feedlot receiving evaluation. In Exp. 1 but not in Exp. 2, LCF increased weaning BW (P = 0.05) compared with Nonsup calves (229 vs. 219 kg; SEM = 4.2). Trace mineral fortification of creep feed decreased DMI of LFC (P < 0.001 and 0.11 in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively) but did not affect (P ≥ 0.53) weaning BW of LFC calves. In Exp. 2 but not Exp. 1, Calves provided LFC had greater (P = 0.040) DMI during the first week postweaning, which was the result of greater (P = 0.040) voluntary DMI of concentrate, compared with Nonsup calves, during this period. In Exp. 2 but not in Exp. 1 (P ≥ 0.12), MIN+ increased (P ≤ 0.04) liver concentrations of Co, Cu, and Se compared with MIN- calves. Preweaning treatment had no effect on serum anti-PRBC immunoglobulin titers and plasma concentrations of haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin (P ≥ 0.37). Thus, limit-fed creep-feed supplements 1) increased calf weaning BW (Exp. 1), 2) enhanced trace mineral status of weaned calves when supplements were fortified with trace minerals (Exp. 2), and 3) increased voluntary DMI during the first week of the feedlot receiving period (Exp. 2).

In 2006, artemether-lumefantrine (ALU), specifically Coartem^® (Novartis Pharma AG, Basel Switzerland), was approved as the first-line drug for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Tanzania. Due to poor availability and affordability of the innovator's product, the government of Tanzania in 2013 prequalified the use of generic anti-malarial drugs, whereby Artefan^® (Ajanta, Pharma Ltd, India) was the first to be approved.

This was an equivalence prospective study that aimed to determine the effectiveness of anti-malarial generic Artefan^® in comparison with innovator's product Coartem^®. Patients aged 6 to 59 months with uncomplicated malaria were recruited and randomized to either receive Artefan^® or Coartem^® as a control. Participants were required to revisit clinic five times as follow up to monitor treatment outcome as per World Health Organization recommendations. On each visit, thick and thin blood smears, dried blood spot (DBS), haemoglobin concentrations and auxiliary temperature were performed and documented.

Out of 230 recruited participants, 200 met inclusion criteria and were randomized equally to receive Artefan^® and Coartem^®. The overall PCR uncorrected cure rate were 80% for Artefan^® and 75% for Coartem^® (p = 0.44). Adequate clinical and parasitological response were 82.1% for Artefan^® and 74.7% for Coartem^®, and there was no early treatment failure (ETF) observed in both arms of treatment. Both drugs showed excellent early parasite clearance, whereby no participants had peripheral parasitaemia on day 3. Late clinical failures (LCF) were 3.6% for Artefan^® and 1.3% for Coartem^® (p = 0.31), and late parasitological failure (LPF) were 15.4% for Artefan^® and 22.7% for Coartem^® (p = 0.32). Mean haemoglobin (g/dl) concentrations observed on day 28 were higher compared to day 0 for both drugs, although not statistically significant. Only one (1.3%) participant on Artefan^® had temperature ≥ 37.5 °C on day 3.

The findings of this study indicate that both Artefan^® and Coartem^® are equivalent and effective in the management of uncomplicated malaria amongst children in the Coast part of Tanzania.

BACKGROUND

Posture control appears deeply impaired in patients with severe Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). One of the main goals of neurorehabilitation specialists is to try to assess this neural function in a standardized manner. However, the tests available to evaluate posture control recovery after brain damage were developed for patients with focal neurological signs. We therefore developed a new test, the Trunk Recovery Scale (TRS).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the inter-rater reliability, internal consistency, external validity, and sensitivity of TRS in patients with ABI.

METHODS

Validation study.

METHODS

We examined 59 patients hospitalized after a brain injury in the Intensive and the Extensive Rehabilitation Units of our hospital.

METHODS

Patients with diagnosis of severe ABI with the capacity to respond to simple verbal orders and with a Level of Cognitive Functioning Scale (LCF scale) ≥ 4.

METHODS

Three raters independently assessed 20 subjects. One of the raters also assessed 39 additional subjects using TRS, Trunk Control Test (TCT), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and repeated the evaluation after 30 days.

RESULTS

The Inter-rater reliability was generally high (ICC=0,97 and 0,92 for total score and different subscales). Weighted Kappa values indicated "substantial agreement" except for items 2, 7, and 12. Internal consistency was good: Cronbach's coefficients were 0.900 and 0.910 for different subscales, and the elimination of one item at a time did not substantially improve the internal consistency. External validity was excellent (Spearman rank correlations =0.943 and 0.849 for TCT and FIM). Sensitivity was good.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirm that TRS reliably assesses posture control in patients with severe ABI. However, as the sample size of internal consistency and validity was limited, the results may be overestimated. We therefore propose that this study be considered the first in a series of similar studies. This series should include a Rasch Analysis, which would further evaluate the suitability of keeping or removing items with less consistency and would define the mathematical properties of different subscales and the total score.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirm that TRS detects subtle but potentially meaningful motor changes in patients and can therefore allow clinicians to document treatment effectiveness and define treatment objectives.

Malignant neoplasms (MN) have been found to develop most frequently in the liquidators of entry into the ChNPP zones in 1986 (43.75%), as well as among the liquidators who worked for long, one quarter of whom participated in liquidation of the consequences of failure (LCF) in 1986. Specific features of the immune status depending on the timing of participation in LCF and the year of entry into the ChN PP zone have been established. Changes in the immune system in the persons with a confirmed diagnosis of MN who took both a non-permanent and permanent part in liquidating the consequences of the ChNPP failure in 1986 had the same character of deviations and differed in the magnitudes of deviations of immunological parameters. Continuous participation in the period of extreme conditions and a greater exposure to the radiation factor led to the increased content of CD8(+)-T-cells, CD16(+)-lymphocytes and activated T-lymphocytes, as well as to the reduced index of immune regulation, decreased content ofCD3-16/56+(NK)-cells (%) and the total IgE and to a greater deficiency of B-lymphocytes. Distinctions in the groups of liquidators who participated in LCF in 1986 and 1987 have been revealed. The greatest deviations in the IS indicators were found in liquidators-87. A similar effect came to light in case of a continuance in the ChNPP zones in 1986 and 1987; however, the degree of deviation of the content of CD4(+)-T-lymphocytes (41), CD8(+)-T-lymphocytes (1) and the immune regulation index (41) were remarkably higher in liquidators-87. A continuous stay in the ChNPP zones in 1987 led to the deficiency of CD4(+)-T-lymphocytes, increased values of CD8(+)-T-lymphocytes, a decreased index of CD4+/CD8+, as well as to the change in the ratio between NK-T and NK cells, increased numbers of CD95+, HLA-DR+ and activated T-lymphocytes, and a lower level of the total IgE. Long-term participation in LCF didn't cause any enhanced expression of cellular activation markers in liquidators-86. Specific features of changes in IS depending on a dose of external gamma-irradiation have been established. Increase in the frequency of MN among liquidators, in relation to the number of examinees in each age group, with age has been revealed. Distinctions in the age dynamics of IS in liquidators in the presence and in the absence of MN manifested themselves in a stable level of values of CD3+, CD4+, CD8(+)-T-lymphocytes, immune regulation index, CD95+, serum IgA at the age between 40 and 70 years old with a subsequent reduction in indicators and increase in the content of CD8(+)-T-lymphocytes with age in the absence of MN; continuous increase of CD3-16/56(+)-NK-cells in the presence of MN and decrease in the values after 70 in the absence of MN. Also revealed in IS of the both age groups of liquidators over 70 with and without MN was the deficiency of the T-cell component (CD3+, CD4(+)-T-lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ index) and the increase in absolute values of CD8(+)-T-lymphocytes. The growing deficiency of CD4(+)-T-lymphocytes during monitoring against the background of ever rising values of CD8(+)-T-lymphocytes leading to the weakening of the immune regulation due to progressing disorders of the T-lymphocyte regulatory subpopulation distribution can serve an indicator for the adverse prognosis of the life expectancy in the presence of MN.

OBJECTIVE

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a proven intervention that substantially improves physical health and decreases death and disability following a cardiovascular event. Traditional CR typically involves 36 on-site exercise sessions spanning a 12-week period. To date, the optimal dose of CR has yet to be determined. This study compared a high contact frequency CR programme (HCF, 34 on-site sessions) with a low contact frequency CR programme (LCF, eight on-site sessions) of equal duration (4 months).

METHODS

A total of 961 low-risk cardiac patients (RARE score <4) self-selected either a HCF (n = 469) or LCF (n = 492) CR programme. Cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular risk factors were measured on admission and discharge.

RESULTS

Similar proportions of patients completed HCF (n = 346) and LCF (n = 351) (p = 0.398). Patients who were less fit (<8 METs) were more likely to drop out of the LCF group, while younger patients (<60 years) were more likely to drop out of the HCF group. Both groups experienced similar reductions in weight (-2.3 vs. -2.4 kg; p = 0.779) and improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (+1.5 vs. +1.4 METs; p = 0.418).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients in the LCF programme achieved equivalent results to those in the HCF programme. Certain subgroups of patients, however, may benefit from participation in a HCF programme, including those patients who are predisposed to prematurely discontinuing the programme and those patients who would benefit from increased monitoring. The LCF model can be employed as an alternative option to widen access and participation for patients who are unable to attend HCF programmes due to distance or time limitations.

Proteins from extensor digitorum longus (EDL), plantaris (PLN), and soleus (SOL) muscles of adult, female rats were examined by high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis up to 4 weeks following spinal cord transection. The electrophoretograms were analyzed by computer imaging and densitometry. Reproducible and significant changes in the relative concentrations of several proteins in each muscle type were detected. Whereas changes involving the largest number of proteins were observed in SOL, changes in EDL and PLN were also detected. In SOL, approximately 50% of the altered proteins increased in concentration and the remaining decreased: Actin and myosin light chains LCF-1 and LCF-2 were among those proteins whose concentrations increased, whereas myosin light chains LCS-1 and LCS-2 were among those proteins whose concentrations decreased. The present findings regarding the reversal in myosin light chain composition provide biochemical support for previously published data on changes in contractile properties of muscles following spinalization. In EDL, the relative concentration of only one protein was elevated in a time-dependent manner. The concentrations of two protein species in PLN were increased following cord transection. These findings provide new biochemical markers on the effects of spinal cord on gene expression in specific hindlimb skeletal muscles.

Violent injuries have become an increasingly prevalent cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries can be classified as either penetrating or non-penetrating in nature. While much of the research on violence has been within a military population, there exists a marked difference between military and civilian injuries. Prior work has reported relatively poor outcomes for those individuals who have suffered penetrating TBIs, but little has been done to assess specific functional outcome parameters in survivors. We examined 25 subjects that had sustained blunt injuries and 25 cases with penetrating injuries as a result of a violent act. Cases were matched by initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), age and educational level. Mean GCS for this study sample was 8.8. The following outcome variables were assessed at rehabilitation admission and discharge and at 1 year post injury: Disability Rating Scale (DRS), Rancho Los Amigos Scale (LCFS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) (ambulation, expression items), length of stay, and cost of care. Student's t-tests were performed to assess for differences between the two groups. No significant differences were noted between the groups for any of the outcome variables. Although penetrating injuries may have a higher initial mortality, those who survive to come to rehabilitation appear to have similar outcomes to those patients with non-penetrating violence related injuries.

The tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscle has been successfully harvested as a myocutaneous flap in reconstructive surgery. Reports on the vascular supply of this muscle, however, are incomplete or inconclusive. Therefore the arterial pattern was examined by dissection in 100 injected human cadaveric specimens. It was observed that whereas 67 muscles were supplied exclusively by a single vessel derived from the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral (LCF) artery, 13 were supplied by a secondary vessel derived from the same branch, while 20 muscles were supplied by two vessels, the larger one arising as before and the smaller from the descending branch of the LCF. Our observations reveal that although the majority of TFL muscles are clinically Type I (one vascular pedicle) according to the classification of Mathes and Nahai (1981), 20% are actually Type II (major and minor vascular pedicles).

A retrospective study was performed to elucidate the process of left ventricular aneurysm formation and its influence on left ventricular enlargement based on serial two-dimensional echocardiographic observations from 150 consecutive patients with first acute anterior myocardial infarction. Echocardiograms were available and interpretable through the entire period of observation in 68 patients. Because of early death in 13 patients, echocardiograms of 55 patients, 22 with and 33 without aneurysm, were analyzed from 1 to 28 days after infarction. Patients with aneurysms were separated into two groups with large (group 1, 11 patients) and small aneurysms (group 2, 11 patients) on the basis of ratios of aneurysm to overall left ventricular circumferential length [Lcf-LV(RAO)] and area [Area-LV(RAO)], i.e., Lcf(An/LV)-RAO and Area(An/LV)-RAO, respectively, in the right anterior oblique equivalent view at the time of aneurysm formation, with reference to Forrester's subset. Group 1 consisted of patients with Lcf(An/LV)-RAO of 0.4 or greater or Area(An/LV)RAO of 0.3 or greater while group 2 included patients with Lcf(An/LV)-RAO less than 0.4 or Area(An/LV)-RAO less than 0.3. In the test for time trend in these groups with a one-way analysis of variance, Lcf-LV in RAO equivalent and apical four-chamber views and Area-LV in apical four-chamber view effectively separated group 1 from groups 2 and 3 (without aneurysm) with significance (p less than .005, p less than .01, and p less than .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

BACKGROUND

The use of Evaluation Scales in ABI is necessary for measure of outcome, but not always they are used as predictor factors for rehabilitation processes and organization.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of an inpatient rehabilitation program for patients with traumatic brain injury through the use of selected indicators and to identify predictive factors for functional outcome.

METHODS

This was a retrospective database analysis.

METHODS

Patients admitted to an Intensive Rehabilitation Unit as inpatient (Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar-Verona).

METHODS

The population included patients with traumatic brain injury.

METHODS

The study enrolled 175 patients admitted to an Intensive Rehabilitation Unit between 2004 and 2007. Data collected included demographic characteristics, first 24-hours worst GCS, length of acute and rehabilitative stay at admission and discharge FIM, DRS, LCF and GOS.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant recovery over the course of admission for all assessment tools (P<0.000). When patients were subdivided on the basis of admission DRS categories a linear correlation among variables could be observed, with most disabled patients showing the longest acute and rehabilitation stays and the lowest functional gains. Within each DRS category age appeared to affect improvement (P<0.005) while final outcome was influenced not only by age but also by initial functional status (P<0.000) and time from injury to admission (P<0.004). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Systematic data collection in intensive rehabilitation is of great importance to monitor recovery and plan appropriate programs on the basis of admission functional status.

Murine lymphocyte chemotactic factor (LCF) was demonstrated in various culture fluids of C3H/HeN lymphoid cells stimulated with specific soluble protein antigen, mitogen or alloantigenic cells. Further experiments, using monoclonal anti-Thy 1.2, anti-Lyt 1.1 and anti-Lyt 2.1 antibodies for negative selection with complement (C), were carried out to characterize the effector-cell populations responsible for producing LCF after these stimuli. Treatment of sensitized lymph node (LN) cells with either anti-Thy 1.2, or anti-Lyt 1.1 and C resulted in an almost complete elimination of the capacity to produce LCF after dinitrophenylated-ovalbumin-stimulation. In addition, spleen cells treated with these antibodies and C before stimulation with either alloantigen (irradiated C57BL/6 spleen cells or concanavalin A [Con A]) yielded almost the same results as those for LN cells. In contrast, depletion of Lyt cells, under conditions which fully abrogated the generation of cytotoxic T cells in primary mixed-lymphocyte culture (MLC) and the cytotoxic activity of the cells generated in MLC, had little or no ability to eliminate LCF production in either system. It was thus suggested that Lyt 1+2- T-cell subpopulations were primarily responsible for LCF production after stimulation with either specific protein antigen, alloantigen, or Con A.

The present study was carried out to determine the free radical scavenging potential of culture filtrate of Streptomyces sp. AM-S1. Antioxidant activity of culture filtrate, lyophilized culture filtrate and ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces sp. AM-S1 was determined by various in vitro assays such as ferric reducing power assay, phosphomolybdenum reduction, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. The results revealed that the culture filtrate of Streptomyces sp. AM-S1 effectively scavenged DPPH (IC50 90.2 μl/ml) and ABTS (IC50 13.2 μl/ml) radicals in a concentration dependent manner. In all the assays, ethyl acetate extract registered higher antioxidant activity when compared with the lyophilized culture filtrate (LCF). In addition, ethyl acetate extract (1123.4 μmole Fe(II)/mg extract) exhibited higher ferric reducing activity than the standard BHA (814.4 μmole Fe(II)/mg extract). Further works are needed on the isolation and identification of antioxidant molecules from the ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces sp. AM-S1 culture filtrate.

Patients with severe acquired brain injury (SABI) may evolve towards different outcomes. The primary aim was to evaluate the clinical evolution of a large population of patients with SABI admitted to post-acute rehabilitation from 2001 to 2016, diagnosed with severe brain injury (GCS ≤ 8) in the acute phase and a coma duration of at least 24 h. The possible changes between the admission time to a post-acute rehabilitation hospital and the discharge time were measured by means of Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Level of Cognitive Functioning (LCF), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS). We also correlated the improvement rate with some sociodemographic and clinical features of the individuals with SABI enrolled. Data of 890 patients were analyzed (54% TBI, length of stay = 162 ± 186 days, GCS = 7.46 ± 1.28); time interval from the SABI (OR = 0.246, CI 95% = 0.181 - 0.333), scores at admission of LCF (OR = 2.243, CI 95% = 1.492 - 3.73), GOS (OR = 0.138, CI 95% = 0.071 - 0.266), DRS (OR = 0.457, CI 95% = 0.330 - 0.632), and etiology (OR = 2.273, CI 95% = 1.676 - 3.084) played a significant role (p < 0.001, explained variance 69.9%) for improving GOS score. Time interval from the SABI to admission in our post-acute rehabilitation ward (OR = 0.300, CI 95% = 0.179 - 0.501, p < 0.001), length of rehabilitation stay (OR = 2.808, CI 95% = 1.694 - 4.653, p < 0.001), and etiology (OR = 1.769, CI 95% = 1.095 - 2.857, p = 0.020) led to a statistically significant improvement in DRS (explained variance 91%). The most significant predictive factors for the outcome of patients with SABI were etiology, time interval from SABI to admission in rehabilitation, and length of rehabilitation stay.

Dinoflagellates are the most abundant protists that produce bioluminescence. Currently, there is an incomplete knowledge of the identity of bioluminescent species arising from inter- and intraspecific variability in bioluminescence properties. In this study, PCR primers were designed to amplify the dinoflagellate luciferase gene (lcf) from genetically distant bioluminescent species. One of the primer pairs was "universal," whereas others amplified longer gene sequences from subsets of taxa. The primers were used to study the distribution of lcf and assess bioluminescence potential in dinoflagellate strains representing a wide variety of taxa as well as multiple strains of selected species. Strains of normally bioluminescent species always contained lcf even when they were found not to produce light, thus demonstrating the utility of this methodology as a powerful tool for identifying bioluminescent species. Bioluminescence and lcf were confined to the Gonyaulacales, Noctilucales, and Peridiniales. Considerable variation was observed among genera, or even species within some genera, that contained this gene. Partial sequences of lcf were obtained for the genera Ceratocorys, Ceratium, Fragilidium, and Protoperidinium as well as from previously untested species or gene regions of Alexandrium and Gonyaulax. The sequences revealed high variation among gene copies that obscured the boundaries between species or even genera, some of which could be explained by the presence of two genetic variants within the same species of Alexandrium. Highly divergent sequences within Alexandrium and Ceratium show a more diverse composition of lcf than previously known.

BACKGROUND

In the pediatric population, reports of a concomitant lateral condyle fracture (LCF) of the humerus and an elbow dislocation are rare.

METHODS

From 2007 to 2013, we identified a group of 12 children who presented to our institution with a concomitant LCF and an elbow dislocation. This subset of fractures (group 1), all of which were managed surgically, is the subject of the present report. Their outcome was compared with that of all LCFs that were treated surgically at our institution during the study period (group 2, n=179). The length of surgery, recovery of range of motion (ROM), lateral spur formation, and the presence or absence of neurological or vascular complications, pin-tract infection, loss of fixation, and avascular necrosis or nonunion of the lateral condyle were used to describe the outcome of the fracture.

RESULTS

A concomitant elbow dislocation and LCF of the humerus was observed in 12 patients with a mean age of 5.5 years (range, 2 to 8), and a mean follow-up of 51 weeks. A posteromedial dislocation of the elbow was observed in most patients. The recovery of ROM appeared to be slower for patients with an associated elbow dislocation, but a full recovery of ROM was obtained in the long term. Lateral spur formation was seen in all fractures in group 1 and only in 72% of fractures in group 2 (P=0.02). A satisfactory outcome was observed in 92% of fractures in group 1 and in 88% of fractures in group 2 (P=0.58).

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant LCF of the humerus and an elbow dislocation are rare. Satisfactory outcomes can be expected when prompt reduction of the elbow dislocation and timely anatomic reduction and fixation of the fracture is obtained. A delayed recovery of elbow motion is common among this population, but a full recovery of ROM can be expected in the long term.

METHODS

Level II-retrospective.

OBJECTIVE

To determine which basic and functional status characteristics of patients with a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are associated with discharge destination.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study among TBI patients. The study included 111 patients aged 16-67 years with a moderate-to-severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score 3-14). Functional outcome was assessed with Barthel Index (BI), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), Level of Cognitive Functioning Scale (LCFS), Functional Assessment Measurement (FAM), Supervision Rating Scale (SRS) and Neurobehavioural Rating Scale (NRS). Patients were interviewed at the time of being discharged from hospital. Outcome variable was discharge destination; (1) home vs. institution and (2) rehabilitation centre vs. nursing home.

RESULTS

Gender, age and length of stay were not associated with discharge destination. TBI severity, physical status, level of arousal and cognitive status were univariately associated. Multivariate analyses, however, showed that the risk of being admitted to an institution was significantly higher for those with severe TBI (adjusted OR = 14) and/or lowered cognitive status at the time of discharge from hospital (adjusted OR = 12).

CONCLUSIONS

Discharge destination is associated with TBI-severity at admittance to the hospital and cognitive status at discharge from the hospital.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify clinico-radiological risk factors that may predict unfavorable neurological outcomes in traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to establish a guideline for patient selection in clinical trials that would improve neurological outcome during the early post TBI period.

METHODS

Initial clinico-radiological data of 115 TBI patients were collected prospectively. Regular neurological assessment after standard treatment divided the above patients into 2 groups after 6 months : the Favorable neurological outcome group (GOS : good & moderate disability, DRS : 0-6, LCFS : 8-10) and the Unfavorable group (GOS : severe disability-death, DRS : 7-29 and death, LCFS : 1-7 and death).

RESULTS

There was a higher incidence of age>>/=35 years, low initial GCS score, at least unilateral pupil dilatation, and neurological deficit in the Unfavorable group. The presence of bilateral parenchymal lesions or lesions involving the midline structures in the initial brain CT was observed to be a radiological risk factor for unfavorable outcome. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age and initial GCS score were independent risk factors. The majority of the Favorable group patients with at least one or more risk factors showed improvement of GCS scores within 2 months after TBI.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with the above mentioned clinico-radiological risk factors who received standard treatment, but did not demonstrate neurological improvement within 2 months after TBI were deemed at risk for unfavorable outcome. These patients may be eligible candidates for clinical trials that would improve functional outcome after TBI.