Electrical Penetration Graph analysis reveals population differentiation of host-plant probing behaviors within the aphid species Uroleucon ambrosiae

Uroleucon ambrosiae collected from the eastern and the southwestern United States were studied in relation to host-plant probing. In the field, eastern aphids are highly specific on Ambrosia trifida, while southwestern aphids feed on Ambrosia trifida plus many other species in the family Asteraceae. Electrical penetration graphs of insects on the principal host, A. trifida, and an additional host of southwestern populations, Heterotheca subaxillaris, revealed regional differentiation in host-associated aphid behaviors, specifically in the first phase of subcuticular probing, and in phloem finding activities. Eastern aphids used A. trifidamore efficiently than southwestern aphids, but were demonstrably less vigorous in their probing activities on H. subaxillaris.     

Relationship between the Frequency Magnitude Distribution and the Visibility Graph in the Synthetic Seismicity Generated by a Simple Stick-Slip System with Asperities

By using the method of the visibility graph (VG) the synthetic seismicity generated by a simple stick–slip system with asperities is analysed. The stick–slip system mimics the interaction between tectonic plates, whose asperities are given by sandpapers of different granularity degrees. The VG properties of the seismic sequences have been put in relationship with the typical seismological parameter, the b-value of the Gutenberg-Richter law. Between the b-value of the synthetic seismicity and the slope of the least square line fitting the k-M plot (relationship between the magnitude M of each synthetic event and its connectivity degree k) a close linear relationship is found, also verified by real seismicity.     

Choice of Mouse Strain Influences the Outcome in a Mouse Model of Chemical-Induced Asthma

Background

The development of occupational asthma is the result of interactions between environmental factors and individual susceptibility. We assessed how our model of chemical-induced asthma is influenced by using different mouse strains.

Methodology/Principal Findings

On days 1 and 8, male mice of 7 different strains (BALB/c, BP/2, A/J, C57Bl/6, DBA/2, CBA and AKR) were dermally treated with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) (0.3%) or vehicle (acetone/olive oil, AOO, 2∶3) on each ear (20 µl). On day 15, they received an oropharyngeal instillation of TDI (0.01%) or AOO (1∶4). Airway reactivity to methacholine, total and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and total serum IgE and IgG_2a levels were measured. Lymphocyte subpopulations in auricular lymph nodes and in vitro release of cytokines by ConA stimulated lymphocytes were assessed. In TDI-sensitized and challenged mice, airway hyper-reactivity was only observed in BALB/c, BP/2, A/J and AKR mice; airway inflammation was most pronounced in BALB/c mice; numbers of T-helper (CD4⁺), T-activated (CD4⁺CD25⁺), T-cytotoxic (CD8⁺) and B- lymphocytes (CD19⁺) were increased in the auricular lymph nodes of BALB/c, BP/2, A/J and CBA mice; elevated concentrations of IL-4, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-γ were detected in supernatant of lymphocytes from BALB/c, BP/2, A/J, C57Bl/6 and CBA mice cultured with concanavaline A, along with an increase in total serum IgE.

Conclusion

The used mouse strain has considerable and variable impacts on different aspects of the asthma phenotype. The human phenotypical characteristics of chemically-induced occupational asthma were best reproduced in Th2-biased mice and in particular in BALB/c mice.     

Electrical Impedance Myography to Detect the Effects of Electrical Muscle Stimulation in Wild Type and Mdx Mice

Objective

Tools to better evaluate the impact of therapy on nerve and muscle disease are needed. Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is sensitive to neuromuscular disease progression as well as to therapeutic interventions including myostatin inhibition and antisense oligonucleotide-based treatments. Whether the technique identifies the impact of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is unknown.

Methods

Ten wild-type (wt) C57B6 mice and 10 dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice underwent 2 weeks of 20 min/day EMS on left gastrocnemius and sham stimulation on the right gastrocnemius. Multifrequency EIM data and limb girth were obtained before and at the conclusion of the protocol. Muscle weight, in situ force measurements, and muscle fiber histology were also assessed at the conclusion of the study.

Results

At the time of sacrifice, muscle weight was greater on the EMS-treated side than on the sham-stimulated side (p = 0.018 for wt and p = 0.007 for mdx). Similarly, in wt animals, EIM parameters changed significantly compared to baseline (resistance (p = 0.009), reactance (p = 0.0003) and phase (p = 0.002); these changes were due in part to reductions in the EIM values on the EMS-treated side and elevations on the sham-simulated side. Mdx animals showed analogous but non-significant changes (p = 0.083, p = 0.064, and p = 0.57 for resistance, reactance and phase, respectively). Maximal isometric force trended higher on the stimulated side in wt animals only (p = 0.06). Myofiber sizes in wt animals were also larger on the stimulated side than on the sham-stimulated side (p = 0.034); no significant difference was found in the mdx mice (p = 0.79).

Conclusion

EIM is sensitive to stimulation-induced muscle alterations in wt animals; similar trends are also present in mdx mice. The mechanisms by which these EIM changes develop, however, remains uncertain. Possible explanations include longer-term trophic effects and shorter-term osmotic effects.     

尿流动力学在儿童及青少年遗尿中的应用价值

目的:探讨和分析尿流动力学检查在儿童及青少年遗尿症中的临床价值.方法:对我院诊治的61例遗尿症儿童及青少年进行尿流动力学检查,根据检查结果,并结合其临床症状、体征及其它辅助检查,选择适当的个体化治疗方案.结果:其中有42例尿流动力学检查结果显示异常,占总例数的68.9％; 19例尿流动力学检查结果显示无异常发现,占总例数的31.1％.结论:膀胱敏感性增加、膀胱容量相对减小、膀胱逼尿肌无抑制性不稳定收缩、膀胱顺应性和尿道压减低、出现残余尿量是遗尿症儿童及青少年尿流动力学检查结果出现异常的常见原因,行尿动力学检查在一定程度上能为遗尿症儿童及青少年在诊疗方案的选择上提供临床指导和参考.     

亚硫酸钠处理对与采后竹笋木质化作用有关的细胞壁物质及酶活性的影响

研究了Na2SO3处理对与采后竹笋木质化作用相关的细胞壁物质及其酶活性的影响.结果表明1%Na2SO3处理能显著延缓竹笋组织中多聚半乳糖醛酸酶活性的降低和抑制苯丙氨酸解氨酶活性的上升,因此水溶性果胶含量显著高于对照,硬度、木质素和原果胶含量显著低于对照.但1%Na2SO3处理对纤维素酶、果胶甲酯酶活性和纤维素含量无显著影响.     

白血病诊治中的分子学检测及其临床意义

精准治疗是当前白血病治疗的新策略,而准确诊断和预后分层是精准治疗的基础。目前白血病主要依据形态学、免疫学、遗传学和分子学进行综合性的诊断分型。近年来,大量白血病相关的分子学异常被确认,分子学检测在白血病诊治中发挥着越来越重要的作用。PCR和测序是临床常规中基本的分子学检测技术。白血病常用的分子学指标包括融合基因、基因突变、基因过表达等,它们在白血病的诊断、靶向治疗的选择、微小残留病的监测以及预后等方面具有重要的临床意义。     

湖北秭归三叶虫Ushbaspis hubeiensis新材料及其研究意义

文中通过对Ushbaspis hubeiensis (Lin,1978)新材料的研究,对该种三叶虫躯体构造特征做了重要补充,使人们对它有更全面的认识,也将为今后进一步对乌什巴盾壳虫类(ushbaspid) 三叶虫的分类、系统演化的研究以及对寒武纪第二世生物地层划分,提供一些重要依据。文中还就张文堂等（1980）将采自贵州湄潭的Kepingaspis sp.标本鉴定为Metaredlichioides constrictus Qian and Yao,1974提出质疑。     

Magnitude and Predictors of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) Failure in Private Health Facilities in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia

BackgroundThe public health approach to antiretroviral treatment management encourages the public private partnership in resource limited countries like Ethiopia. As a result, some private health facilities are accredited to provide antiretroviral treatment free services. Evidence on magnitude and predictors of treatment failure are crucial for timely actions. However, there are few studies in this regard.ObjectiveTo assess the magnitude and predictors of ART failure in private health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsThe study followed retrospective cohort design, with 525 adult antiretroviral treatment clients who started the treatment since October 2009 and have at least six months follow up until December 31, 2013. Kaplan Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard model were used for analysis.ResultsTreatment failure, using the three WHO antiretroviral treatment failure criteria, was 19.8%. The immunologic, clinical, and virologic failures were 15%, 6.3% and 1.3% respectively. The mean and median survival times in months were 41.17 with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [39.69, 42.64] and 49.00, 95% CI [47.71, 50.29] respectively. The multivariate cox regression analysis showed years since HIV diagnosis (Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR)=13.87 with 95% CI [6.65, 28.92]), disclosure (AHR=0.59, 95% CI [0.36, 0.96]), WHO stage at start (AHR=1.84, 95% CI [1.16, 2.93]), weight at baseline (AHR=0.58, 95% CI [0.38, 0.89]), and functionality status at last visit (AHR=2.57, 95% CI [1.59, 4.15]) were independent predictors of treatment failure.ConclusionThe study showed that the treatment failure is high among the study subjects. The predictors for antiretroviral treatment failure were years since HIV diagnosis, weight at start, WHO stage at start, status at last visit and disclosure.RecommendationsFacilities need to monitor antiretroviral treatment clients to avoid disease progression and drug resistance.     

纤维支气管镜在肺不张诊断与治疗中的意义

目的:探讨纤维支气管镜(纤支镜)在肺不张的诊断及治疗中的意义.方法:对经X线、CT诊断为肺不张的67例患者行纤支镜检查和治疗.结果:纤支镜病因诊断符合率为98.5%.其中肺癌38例(56.7%),炎症19例(28.4%),结核9例(13.4%),异物阻塞1例(1.5%).病变部位以右上叶16例最多(23.9%),接着依次为右肺下叶(19.4%),右肺中叶(17.9%).对肺不张患者经纤支镜吸痰、灌洗、局部给药、取出异物等治疗后,患者症状均有不同程度的改善,且炎症、结核、异物所致的肺不张肺叶均有不同程度复张,呼吸功能改善.结论:纤支镜对肺不张的诊断及治疗具有重要意义,且经纤支镜辅助治疗可促进肺复张.     

A Precision Approach to the Diagnosis and Choice of Tactics in the Treatment of Endometrial Hyperplasia in Perimenopause

Biophysics - Abstract—This study was aimed at the identification of the most significant clinical, anatomical, and molecular risk factors of the occurrence and progression of endometrial...     

探讨分层级管理对医院护理管理的作用和意义

目的:随着生活水平的提升,人们对健康水平也越来越重视,对相关医疗水平的要求随之提升。针对护理工作中存在的问题,采取积极的应对措施是目前临床护理管理工作的重点。本文通过观察分层级管理用于医院护理管理的效果,探讨并分析该方法对医院护理管理的作用和意义。方法:2011年1月-2012年12月期间在我院呼吸科、消化科、骨科等7个主要病区,按照护理人员的技能水平、职业资历等进行分层级管理。根据不同层级的护理要求进行培训并定期考核。观察并比较实施分层级护理管理前后的临床效果,调查并分析患者对分层级护理的反馈情况及护理人员自身对其工作的满意度。结果:实施分层级管理后,护士的基本护理工作落实率、危重护理工作落实率、健康教育落实率、环境管理落实率均显著提高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);患者和护士自身对护理工作的满意率明显提高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);意外发生率和护理差错发生率均明显降低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:在医院护理管理工作中开展分层级管理,有助于促进护理工作的顺利进行,提升医院整体护理水平,有助于患者的身体恢复及精神健康,提高患者的满意度。