Successful treatment of lower eyelid epiblepharon by injection of botulinum toxin A in patients under two years of age

Introduction: Epiblepharon is characterized by a cutaneous horizontal fold adjacent to the lid margin. Some cases showed spontaneous resolution, others required surgical treatment. We propose a medical treatment with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A). Objective: To provide clinical evidence of the usefulness of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in patients with lower eyelid epiblepharon. Subjects and methods: This was a prospective, non-randomized, nonmasked study. Patients with lower eyelid epiblepharon with corneal eyelash contact were included in the study. The scale proposed by Khwarg & Lee (1997) was used to assess the epiblepharon clinical evaluation. A single dose of 12.5 IU of BTX-A (Dysport ®) was directly injected into the medial pre-tarsal orbicularis muscle region in the lower eyelid. Patients were evaluated before the injection and at 1, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after the injection. We performed descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, comparing prior injection measurements to post injection measurements at the 24th week. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Each eye was separately analyzed. Results: Fourteen eyes of seven Hispanic patients were treated, five female and two male. The mean age was 8.4 months (4 - 14 months). The height of the skin-fold, the area of the cornea touched by the cilia and the symptoms score improved after the first week of BTX-A injection and remained so until the end of study (p < 0.05). No major complications were noted. Conclusion: The effect of a single 12.5 IU injection of BTX-A (Dysport ®) into the medial orbicularis muscle portion in the lower eyelid epiblepharon patients successfully improves the clinical signs and symptoms. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(10): 177-181 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i2.8709

Magnetically actuated artificial cilia for optimum mixing performance in microfluidics

Contemporary lab-chip devices require efficient, high-performance mixing capability. A series of artificial cilia with embedded magnetic particles was fabricated to achieve precise flow manipulation through magnetically driven control. These fabricated structures were actuated in a homogeneous magnetic field generated by a built-in magnetic coil system for various beating cycles inside a microchannel. Three representative trajectories, namely, circular motion, back-and-forth oscillation, and a figure-of-eight pattern, of artificial cilia were designed and generated to mimic the motion of actual cilia. Homogeneous mixing of two highly viscous (>25 centipoise) dyed solutions by using the figure-of-eight trajectory achieved a mixing efficiency of approximately 86%. The underlying relationship between ciliated structures and the induced flow fields was further elucidated by performing a hydrodynamic analysis with micro-particle image velocimetry. In addition, a numerical modeling method which used a fluid structure interaction module was applied to provide quantitative 3D illustrations of induced flow patterns, including vortical structures and vortex core locations. The results reveal that both the magnitude and distribution of induced vortices primarily affect the mixing performance of two viscous flow streams. By using magnetically controlled artificial cilia along with the presented analytical paradigms, a new active flow mixing strategy was suggested to efficiently transport/agitate flows for microfluidics and biomedical applications.

Influences of textured substrates on the heart rate of developing zebrafish embryos

Identification of the effects of different textured substrates on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos provides insights into the influence of external stimuli on normal cardiovascular functions in the developmental stages of the embryos. This knowledge can be used in numerous genetic studies using zebrafish as an animal model as well as in bioanalytical assays using digital microfluidics. In this study, zebrafish embryos were systematically positioned and in vivo imaged on four types of silicon substrates. These substrates exhibited surface textures and surface wettability that were well modulated by wet chemical etching. The heart rate of the developing embryos significantly increased by 9.1% upon exposure to textured Si substrates with nanostructured surfaces compared with bare Si substrates. Modulation of surface wettability in the tested substrates also responded to the increase in the heart rate of the embryo; however, the effect of surface wettability on heart rate was slight compared with the effect of texture. In-depth experimental and statistical investigations of heart rate under the effects of substrate textures imply a pathway through which the inner mass of the embryo reacts to external stimuli. These findings contribute to zebrafish-related studies and suggest other factors to consider in the design of nanostructure-based microfluidics and other biomedical devices.

Development of a slow polycolloid-releasing substrate (SPRS) biobarrier to remediate TCE-contaminated aquifers

In this study, an in situ slow polycolloid-releasing substrate (SPRS) biobarrier system was developed to continuously provide biodegradable substrates for the enhancement of trichloroethylene (TCE) reductive dechlorination. The produced SPRS contained vegetable oil (used as a slow-released substrate), cane molasses [used as an early-stage (fast-degradable) substrate], and surfactants [Simple Green (SG) and soya lecithin (SL)]. An emulsification study was performed to evaluate the globule droplet size and stability of SPRS. The distribution and migration of the SPRS were evaluated in a column experiment, and an anaerobic microcosm study was performed to assess the capability of SPRS to serve as a slow and long-term carbon-releasing substrate for TCE dechlorination. The results show that a stable oil-in-water (W/O, 50/50) emulsion (SPRS) with uniformly small droplets (D₁₀, 0.93 μm) has been produced, continuously supplying primary substrates. The emulsion containing the surfactant mixture (with 72 mg/L SL and 71 mg/L SG) had a small absolute value of the zeta potential, which reduced the inter-particle repulsion, leading the emulsion droplets to adhere to one another after collision. The addition of SPRS creates anaerobic conditions and leads to a more complete and thorough removal of TCE through biodegradation and sorption mechanisms.

The changes of cerebral morphology related to aging in Taiwanese population

A cross-sectional study with the 3-dimensional (3D) MRI reconstruction technique was conducted to investigate cerebral complexity changes related to age differences in native Taiwanese population. In our sample of 85 participants aged between 25 and 81, age was associated with gradual ventricular expansion. A nonlinear quadratic relationship between white matter volume and age was found overall in the brain. Widespread age-related reduction in white matter was detected from late adulthood onwards. However, no significant age-related changes in the cortex and whole brain volume were determined throughout adulthood. These findings provided information in describing brain structural complexity, which might in the future serve as an objective diagnostic index or as a predictive parameter for neurological diseases. Our method then may be used for cross-cultural longitudinal studies to evaluate the effect of disease, environment and aging on the brain.

Insulin resistance in first-trimester pregnant women with pre-pregnant glucose tolerance and history of recurrent spontaneous abortion

Insulin resistance (IR) has been reported to play an important role in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, scanted materials exist regarding the independent effect of IR on RSA. The aim of this study is to investigate the status of IR in first trimester pregnant patients with normal pre-pregnant glucose tolerance and history of RSA. This two-center case-control study enrolled totally 626 first trimester pregnant women including 161 patients with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion, who were pre-pregnantly glucose-tolerant according to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and 465 women with no history of abnormal pregnancies of any kind. Clinical, biochemical and hormonal parameters were simultaneously measured in all participants. Serum beta-HCG, estradiol, progesterone, fasting plasma glucose and fasting plasma insulin levels, as well, the calculated homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), fasting plasma glucose/insulin ratio(G/I) and pregnancy outcome were analyzed and compared. Serum beta-HCG and progesterone were found to be significantly lower in RSA group compared to controls. Subjects in RSA group were found to have higher HOMA-IR and lower G/I ratio than those in control group. Serum beta-HCG and progesterone were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR, and positively with G/I ratio even after adjustment for BMI. The spontaneous abortion rate within first trimester pregnancy of RSA patients was significantly higher than that in controls. In conclusion, woman with recurrent spontaneous abortion and normal pre-pregnant glucose metabolism tends to be more insulin resistant during first trimester pregnancy than healthy controls, no matter whether she has PCOS or not. Insulin resistance might be one of the direct causes that lead to recurrent abortion.

Long-term disease-free survival in three ovarian cancer patients with a single relapse

Recurrent ovarian cancer with long-term survival is uncommon and often associated with poor prognosis. We report three cases of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who have achieved long-term disease-free survival following a single prior relapse. Case 1 relapsed with a localized bulky tumor and received a complete surgical resection and chemotherapy. Case 2 had a persistent central pelvic tumor after debulking surgery and second-line chemotherapy, and yet achieved excellent control with concurrent chemoradiation to the true pelvis. Case 3 relapsed with paraaortic lymph node metastasis and probable lung metastasis (subsequently negated by positron emission tomography) and received chemotherapy alone. These three patients have since remained disease-free for 13, 12, and seven years, respectively, since their first relapse. We conclude that select patients can obtain long-term disease-free survival after the first relapse by accurate restaging and aggressive multimodality treatment.

Combined evaluation of centromere protein H and Ki-67 as prognostic biomarker for patients with gastric carcinoma

AIM

Centromere protein H (CENP-H) is one of the essential components of the human active kinetochore which close links with carcinogenesis. Its expression and clinical value of prognostic prediction for gastric cancer (GC) is unclear.

METHODS

CENP-H and Ki-67 expressions in specimens from 166 patients with GC were determined by tissue microarrays and immunostaining. Their correlations between patients' clinicopathologic features and prognosis were explored. For mechanisms, quantitative CENP-H examination on gastric cancer tissue and cell lines was performed via real-time quantitative PCR and Western Blot. Its effect on Survivin expression and cell function was evaluated via CENP-H knocking down (SiRNA) or overexpression.

RESULTS

Highly expression of CENP-H was found in 85 of 166 GC, showing a significant correlation with tumour size, depth of infiltration, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and UICC staging of gastric carcinoma (P < 0.05), as well as clinical prognosis (coefficient = 0.550, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that combined CENP-H and Ki67 expression was a more valuable independent prognostic predictor for patients' survival (hazard ratio, 2.18; P = 0.0109). Furthermore, total mRNA and protein expression of CENP-H in GC tissue and cell lines were noticeably increased. Survivin expression and cell function including growth, proliferation and clonogenic ability could be inhibited by CENP-H siRNA or enhanced by overexpressing CENP-H.

CONCLUSION

High expression of CENP-H in GC indicates poor prognosis and Survivin may mediate its procancer role. Combined evaluation of CENP-H and Ki-67 aids in predicting the clinical prognosis.

Internal Q-switching and self-optical parametric oscillation in a two-dimensional periodically poled Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 laser

We report on an internally Q-switched self-optical parametric oscillator (SOPO) based on a monolithic two-dimensional (2D) periodically poled Nd:MgO:LiNbO(3) (Nd:MgO:PPLN) integrating three device functionalities of a laser gain medium, an electro-optic Bragg Q-switch, and an optical parametric gain medium (OPGM). The quasi-phase-matching conditions required by the Bragg Q-switch and OPGM are both satisfied in the 2D nonlinear photonic crystal (NPC) structure formed in the Nd:MgO:PPLN. A 1525 nm signal with a pulse energy of ∼3.3 μJ (>350 W peak power) was obtained from the SOPO at 8.5 W diode pump power. An off-angle signal at 1612 nm, amplified by a unique gain-enhancement effect in this 2D NPC, was also observed. Tuning of the SOPO in the eye-safe region was demonstrated.

Synthesis of Pt doped Bi2O3/RuO2 photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water splitting using visible light

This study was focused on the preparation of modified bismuth oxide photocatalysts, including Ru and Pt doped Bi2O3, using sonochemically assisted method to enhance their photocatalytic activity. The crystalline phase composition and surface structure of Bi2O3 photocatalysts were examined using SEM, XRD, UV-visible spectroscopy, and XPS. Optical characterizations have indicated that the Bi2O3 presents the photoabsorption properties shifting from UV light region into visible light which is approaching towards the edge of 470 nm. According to the experimental results, visible-light-driven photocatalysis for water splitting with the addition of 0.3 M Na2SO3 and 0.03 M H2C2O4 as sacrificing agents demonstrates that Pt/Bi2O3-RuO2 catalyst could increase the amount of hydrogen evolution, which is around 11.6 and 14.5 micromol g(-1) h(-1), respectively. Plausible formation mechanisms of modified bismuth oxide and reaction mechanisms of photocatalytic water splitting have been proposed.

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction assays for the diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in Russia

BACKGROUND

In Russia, the microscopy- and culture-based diagnostics of trichomoniasis is mainly suboptimal. Recent years, domestically produced diagnostic PCR assays have been implemented; however, any evaluation of these PCRs has never been internationally reported.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the performance characteristics of PCR assays developed and currently used in Russia to detect Trichomonas vaginalis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five PCR assays were assessed on 448 samples (317 vaginal and 131 male urethral) collected from symptomatic attendees of youth centres (n = 415) and patients of a dermatovenereological dispensary that were previously diagnosed with trichomoniasis (n = 33). As reference assay, a sensitive and specific real-time multiplex PCR was used.

RESULTS

T. vaginalis DNA was detected in five (all females) of the 415 patients of youth centres (1.2%). All 33 patients previously diagnosed at the venereological dispensary proved to be true positive. For 445 (99.3%) of these 448 samples identical results were obtained by all PCRs, 35 positive and 410 negative. The three discordant samples were positive in all PCRs except one conventional PCR assay. The sensitivities of the PCRs were 94.3-100% and 66.7-100% for vaginal and urethral swabs, respectively. All evaluated assays were 100% specific. The detection limits of the different PCRs ranged from 0.1 to 5 genome equivalents per reaction.

CONCLUSION

The PCR assays currently used in Russia for the detection of T. vaginalis have in general high sensitivities and excellent specificities for both vaginal samples and urethral samples from males.

Three-dimensional brain images in preterm children with periventricular leukomalacia

BACKGROUND

To investigate the use of three-dimensional (3D) brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate in preterm children with periventricular leukomalacia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Semiautomated 3D classification of the gray and white tissues was used to reconstruct brain images of patients with confirmed periventricular leukomalacia from 2D MRI.

RESULTS

We studied 14 preterm patients. The gestational age ranged from 25-37 weeks. The corrected age ranged from 5-49 months. We reconstructed the gray matter, white matter, and ventricles in order to analyze the brain volume.

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional MRI is a good tool that can be used to demonstrate brain lesions in stereo and differentiate the gray matter, white matter, and ventricles. Brain volume can also be accurately evaluated.

Relationship between serum uric acid and cerebral white matter lesions in the elderly

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Recent evidence suggests that hyperuricemia might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular risk factors are well recognized to be associated with cerebral white matter lesion (WML). We hypothesized that hyperuricemia is related to higher grade of WML in both men and women.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 108 men and 123 women were enrolled from those who signed up for the annual Health Examination for the Elderly Program in Taipei from 2006 to 2008. Information in interview data, clinical and laboratory examinations were collected. Hyperuricemia was defined by uric acid ≥458.0 μmol/L in men and ≥392.6 μmol/L in women. Two types of WML including periventricular hyper-intensity (PVH) and deep white matter hyper-intensity (DWMH), ascertained by cranial magnetic resonance imaging, were graded. Association between hyperuricemia and high grade WML was evaluated by using multiple logistic regression analysis. The prevalences of hyperuricemia were 13.9% and 17.9% for men and women, respectively. The prevalences of moderate-to-severe PVH among men and women were 16.7% and 7.3%; while the prevalences of moderate-to-severe DWMH for men and women were 19.4% and 11.4%, respectively. Hyperuricemia was related to moderate-to-severe DWMH in men, after controlling for age, education years, smoking, alcohol consumption, metabolic Z score, silent infarct, and the use of anti-hypertensives, lipid-lowering and anti-diabetic agents, the association remained significant. The relationship was not evident among women. We did not find an association between hyperuricemia and PVH.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperuricemia was positively associated with high grade DWMH in older men, but not in women.

Brain infarction as the initial presentation of primary posterior mediastinal seminoma

A 40-year-old man was admitted with acute onset of slurred speech and right hemiparesis. Cerebral infarction was diagnosed from magnetic resonance (MR) images. Chest X-ray incidentally revealed a posterior mediastinal tumour, which proved to be seminoma on CT-guided biopsy. The patient then received chemotherapy. Five months later, right upper limb weakness and slurred speech occurred again. Brain MR images revealed two metastatic lesions in the prior infarct areas, which on histology proved to be metastatic seminoma.

Role of Temperature in the Growth of Silver Nanoparticles Through a Synergetic Reduction Approach

This study presents the role of reaction temperature in the formation and growth of silver nanoparticles through a synergetic reduction approach using two or three reducing agents simultaneously. By this approach, the shape-/size-controlled silver nanoparticles (plates and spheres) can be generated under mild conditions. It was found that the reaction temperature could play a key role in particle growth and shape/size control, especially for silver nanoplates. These nanoplates could exhibit an intensive surface plasmon resonance in the wavelength range of 700-1,400 nm in the UV-vis spectrum depending upon their shapes and sizes, which make them useful for optical applications, such as optical probes, ionic sensing, and biochemical sensors. A detailed analysis conducted in this study clearly shows that the reaction temperature can greatly influence reaction rate, and hence the particle characteristics. The findings would be useful for optimization of experimental parameters for shape-controlled synthesis of other metallic nanoparticles (e.g., Au, Cu, Pt, and Pd) with desirable functional properties.

Two-dimensional PPLN for simultaneous laser Q-switching and optical parametric oscillation in a Nd:YVO4 laser

We report on a tunable intracavity optical parametric oscillator (IOPO) achieved using a two-dimensional (2D) periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) as simultaneously an electro-optic (EO) Bragg Q-switch and an optical frequency mixer (OFM) in a diode-pumped Nd:YVO(4) laser. The 2D periodic domain inversion structure is designed to provide two orthogonal reciprocal vectors to respectively satisfy the phase-matching conditions required by the two quasi-phase-matching devices (i.e., the PPLN EO Bragg deflector and the PPLN OFM). At a ~140-V Q-switching voltage and a 1-kHz switching rate, we obtained a signal wave at 1550 nm with a pulse energy of 9.7 μJ (corresponding to a peak power of ~2.4 kW) from the IOPO at 9.1-W diode pump power. Simultaneously we also observed multi-wavelength generation from the system originating in the single-pass parametric conversions in the 2D nonlinear photonic crystal structure. Temperature tuning of the IOPO signal wavelength in the eye-safe region was also demonstrated.

Mining the adenovirus virome for oncolytics against multiple solid tumor types

Although there are 55 serotypes of adenovirus (Ad) that infect humans, Ad serotype 5 (Ad5) is the most widely studied because of the availability of commercial kits for its genetic manipulation. In fact, engineered Ad 5 is currently being used in all of the 87 global clinical trials utilizing Ad for the treatment of cancer. Unfortunately, Ad5 is one of the most seroprevalent serotypes, meaning that this virus has to confront additional immunological barriers to be effective in Ad5-immune patients. In this work, we compare Ad5 to 13 other adenoviral serotypes from species B, C, D and E for oncolytic potential in both immunodeficient mouse and immunocompetent hamster models. Our results indicate that species D Ads are not effective oncolytics against most solid tumors. Conversely, lower seroprevalent Ad6 and Ad11 had anti-cancer activity comparable to Ad5. This work strongly supports the consideration of Ad6-based oncolytic therapies for the treatment of breast, ovarian, kidney and liver tumors.

Relationship of adiponectin to endogenous GH pulse secretion parameters in response to stimulation with a growth hormone releasing factor

OBJECTIVE

Obesity is associated with both reduced growth hormone (GH) and adiponectin. However, the relationship between adiponectin and parameters of endogenous GH secretion remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and parameters of endogenous pulsatile GH secretion and the effects of tesamorelin, a synthetic GH releasing hormone (GHRH(1-44)), on total and HMW adiponectin.

DESIGN

A 2-week interventional study with tesamorelin was conducted at an academic medical center in 13 men with BMI 20-35 kg/m(2). Overnight frequent blood sampling and measurement of total and HMW adiponectin at baseline and after treatment were performed to assess the effects of augmenting endogenous pulsatile GH secretion.

RESULTS

Total, but not HMW, adiponectin was positively associated with log(10)Peak GH area (r=+0.73; P=0.005), basal GH secretion (r=+0.67; P=0.01), and total GH production (r=+0.57; P=0.04), but was not associated with the number of secretion events (P=0.85). Two-week treatment with tesamorelin increased endogenous GH release and IGF-1, but neither total (change -0.16±0.64; P=0.40), nor HMW (change +0.03±0.70; P=0.87) adiponectin changed significantly with treatment. Sub-analyses in overweight and obese men yielded similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates a strong relationship between specific parameters of endogenous GH pulsatility and adiponectin. However, short-term augmentation of GH pulsatility over 2-weeks does not change adiponectin. Therefore, the relationship between GH and adiponectin is most likely mediated by specific covariates related to adiposity or other factors.

Thigh muscle volume predicted by anthropometric measurements and correlated with physical function in the older adults

OBJECTIVES

(1) to correlate thigh muscle volume measured by magnetic resonance image (MRI) with anthropometric measurements and physical function in elderly subjects; (2) to predict MRI-measured thigh muscle volume using anthropometric measurements and physical functional status in elderly subjects.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, nonrandomized study.

SETTING

Outpatient clinic in Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty-nine elderly subjects (33 men and 36 women) aged 65 and older.

MEASURMENTS

The anthropometric data (including body height, body weight, waist size, and thigh circumference), physical activity and function (including grip strength, bilateral quadriceps muscle power, the up and go test, chair rise, and five meters walk time) and bioelectrical impedance analysis data (including total body fat mass, fat-free mass, and predictive muscle size) were measured. MRI-measured muscle volume of both thighs was used as the reference standard.

RESULTS

The MRI-measured thigh volume was positively correlated with all anthropometric data, quadriceps muscle power and the up and go test as well as fat-free mass and predictive muscle mass, whereas it was negatively associated with age and walk time. In predicting thigh muscle volume, the variables of age, gender, body weight, and thigh circumference were significant predictors in the linear regression model: Muscle volume (cm3) =4226.3－42.5 × Age (year)－955.7 × gender (male=1, female=2) + 45.9 × body weight(kg) + 60.0 × thigh circumference (cm) (r2 = 0.745, P < 0.001; standard error of the estimate = 581.6 cm3).

CONCLUSION

The current work provides evidence of a strong relationship between thigh muscle volume and physical function in the elderly. We also developed a prediction equation model using anthropometric measurements. This model is a simple and noninvasive method for everyday clinical practice and follow-up.

Interaction between alk1 and blood flow in the development of arteriovenous malformations

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are fragile direct connections between arteries and veins that arise during times of active angiogenesis. To understand the etiology of AVMs and the role of blood flow in their development, we analyzed AVM development in zebrafish embryos harboring a mutation in activin receptor-like kinase I (alk1), which encodes a TGFβ family type I receptor implicated in the human vascular disorder hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 2 (HHT2). Our analyses demonstrate that increases in arterial caliber, which stem in part from increased cell number and in part from decreased cell density, precede AVM development, and that AVMs represent enlargement and stabilization of normally transient arteriovenous connections. Whereas initial increases in endothelial cell number are independent of blood flow, later increases, as well as AVMs, are dependent on flow. Furthermore, we demonstrate that alk1 expression requires blood flow, and despite normal levels of shear stress, some flow-responsive genes are dysregulated in alk1 mutant arterial endothelial cells. Taken together, our results suggest that Alk1 plays a role in transducing hemodynamic forces into a biochemical signal required to limit nascent vessel caliber, and support a novel two-step model for HHT-associated AVM development in which pathological arterial enlargement and consequent altered blood flow precipitate a flow-dependent adaptive response involving retention of normally transient arteriovenous connections, thereby generating AVMs.

Organic and total mercury levels in bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus, harvested by Taiwanese fishing vessels in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans

Muscle samples of 121 and 110 bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) caught by Taiwanese long-line fishing vessels in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, respectively, were used to analyze total mercury (THg) and organic mercury (OHg) content. The overall THg and OHg concentrations were 0.786 ± 0.386 (0.214-3.133) and 0.595 ± 0.238 (0.143-2.222) mg kg⁻¹ wet weight, respectively, similar to the results of previous studies. Our findings, however, reflected the highest THg and OHg concentrations for the species in each ocean among the published data. Mean THg and OHg concentrations in Atlantic tuna were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in Indian tuna. Two of 121 samples of tuna from the Atlantic Ocean, but no samples from the Indian Ocean, had levels of OHg above 2 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight set by the Department of Health Taiwan, and 13 of 121 samples of tuna from the Atlantic Ocean and three of 110 samples from the Indian Ocean had levels of OHg above 1 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight set by US FDA and WHO. Accordingly, for adult Taiwanese men and women with average body weight of 65 and 55 kg, respectively, the maximum allowable weekly intake of bigeye tuna is suggested to be 170 and 145 g, respectively.

In vivo toxicity of nano-alumina on mice neurobehavioral profiles and the potential mechanisms

The rapid development and expanding applications of nanotechnology have led to enhanced exposure of human body to nanoparticles. It is, therefore, necessary to address the safety issue via rigorous toxicological evaluation and to understand the underlying interaction mechanism. However, only a few studies to date have evaluated the safety of nano-sized materials and their potential adverse effects on biological systems. In this study, we sought to investigate the potential toxicity of aluminum oxide (alumina) nanoparticles in ICR strained mice, focusing on potential neurobehavioral defects and the possible mechanisms. The results demonstrated that nano-alumina impaired neurobehavioral functions, including lengthened escape latency, shorter time spent in the target quadrant and reductions in the number of platform crossing. In addition, it induced cell necrosis and apoptosis, which were likely mediated by the reduction of MMP and ROS, and the induction of the caspase-3 gene. Our results implicated that mitochondrial impairment plays a key role in neurotoxicity of nano-alumina, sequent oxidative damage and neural cell loss, especially necrosis, may be direct causes for the neurobehavioral defects. Collectively, nano-alumina presents a strong pro-cell death effect on ICR mice in vivo, suggesting that nano-alumina may serve as an inducer for neural toxicology. Findings in the present study indicating that surface chemical characteristics and nanoscale sizes of nano-alumina could co-contribute significantly to neurotoxicity. The impaired neurobehavioral patterns indicate that nano-alumina particles are more toxic to the cerebrum than those of nano-carbon with the same nanoparticle size and micro-alumina with the same surface chemical characteristics.

Removal of methylene blue from water by gamma-MnO2

Methylene blue (MB) is a cationic dyestuff, which is particularly resistant to biodegradation. The molecular sieved gamma-MnO2 was used as an adsorbent/oxidant to remove the MB at room temperature and in visible light. The removal efficiency was mainly evaluated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), UV-Vis spectrometer (UV-Vis), total organic carbon (TOC). The results revealed that the mechanisms of MB removal by gamma-MnO2 are significantly influenced by the pH. In acidic conditions, hypsochromic effects (i.e. blue shifts of UV-Vis spectra) resulting from N-demethylation of the dimethylamino group in MB may occur concomitantly with oxidative degradation by gamma-MnO2. However, the TOC in solution after gamma-MnO2 treatment in acidic conditions did not show a dramatic decrease. At near neutral pH conditions, there was almost no UV-Vis absorption for the MB solution, however, only 50% TOC removal was observed. It indicated that MB was not only adsorbed onto gamma-MnO2 but also partially oxidatively degraded to other organic compounds which were colourless for UV-Vis.

The cerebellar development in chinese children-a study by voxel-based volume measurement of reconstructed 3D MRI scan

Cerebellar disorder was frequently reported to have relation with structural brain volume alteration and/or morphology change. In dealing with such clinical situations, we need a convenient and noninvasive imaging tool to provide clinicians with a means of tracing developmental changes in the cerebellum. Herein, we present a new daily practice method for cerebellum imaging that uses a work station and a software program to process reconstructed 3D neuroimages after MRI scanning. In a 3-y period, 3D neuroimages reconstructed from MRI scans of 50 children aged 0.2-12.7 y were taken. The resulting images were then statistically analyzed against a growth curve. We observed a remarkable increase in the size of the cerebellum in the first 2 y of life. Furthermore, the unmyelinated cerebellum grew mainly between birth and 2 y of age in the postnatal stage. In contrast, the postnatal development of the brain mainly depended on the growth of myelinated cerebellum from birth through adolescence. This study presents basic data from a study of ethnic Chinese children's cerebellums using reconstructed 3D brain images. Based on the technique we introduce here, clinicians can evaluate the growth of the brain.

Use of serial pig body weights for genetic evaluation of daily gain

This study examined the utility of serial weights from FIRE (Feed Intake Recording Equipment, Osborne Industries, Inc., Osborne, KS, USA) stations for an analysis of daily gain. Data included 884 132 body weight records from 3888 purebred Duroc pigs. Pigs entered the feeder station at age 77-149 days and left at age 95-184 days. A substantial number of records were abnormal, showing body weight close to 0 or up to twice the average weight. Plots of body weights for some animals indicated two parallel growth curves. Initial editing used a robust regression, which was a two-step procedure. In the first step, a quadratic growth curve was estimated assuming small or 0 weights for points far away from the curve; the process is iterative. In the second step, weights more than 1.5 SD from the estimated growth curve were treated as outliers. The retained body weight records (607,597) were averaged to create average daily weight (170,443) and then used to calculate daily gains (152,636). Additional editing steps included retaining only animals with >or=50 body weight records and SD of the daily gain <or=2 kg, followed by removing records outside 3 SD from the mean for given age, across all the animals - the resulting data set included 69,068 records of daily gain from 1921 animals. Daily gain based on daily, weekly and bi-weekly intervals was analysed using repeatability models. Heritability estimates were 0.04, 6 and 9%, respectively. The last two estimates correspond to heritability of 28% for a 12 week interval. For daily gain averaged weekly, the estimate of heritability obtained with a random regression model varied from 0.07 to 0.10. After extensive editing, body weight records from automatic feeding stations are useful for genetic analyses of daily gain from weekly or bi-weekly but not daily intervals.

Genetic analyses of stillbirth in relation to litter size using random regression models

Estimates of genetic parameters for number of stillborns (NSB) in relation to litter size (LS) were obtained with random regression models (RRM). Data were collected from 4 purebred Duroc nucleus farms between 2004 and 2008. Two data sets with 6,575 litters for the first parity (P1) and 6,259 litters for the second to fifth parity (P2-5) with a total of 8,217 and 5,066 animals in the pedigree were analyzed separately. Number of stillborns was studied as a trait on sow level. Fixed effects were contemporary groups (farm-year-season) and fixed cubic regression coefficients on LS with Legendre polynomials. Models for P2-5 included the fixed effect of parity. Random effects were additive genetic effects for both data sets with permanent environmental effects included for P2-5. Random effects modeled with Legendre polynomials (RRM-L), linear splines (RRM-S), and degree 0 B-splines (RRM-BS) with regressions on LS were used. For P1, the order of polynomial, the number of knots, and the number of intervals used for respective models were quadratic, 3, and 3, respectively. For P2-5, the same parameters were linear, 2, and 2, respectively. Heterogeneous residual variances were considered in the models. For P1, estimates of heritability were 12 to 15%, 5 to 6%, and 6 to 7% in LS 5, 9, and 13, respectively. For P2-5, estimates were 15 to 17%, 4 to 5%, and 4 to 6% in LS 6, 9, and 12, respectively. For P1, average estimates of genetic correlations between LS 5 to 9, 5 to 13, and 9 to 13 were 0.53, -0.29, and 0.65, respectively. For P2-5, same estimates averaged for RRM-L and RRM-S were 0.75, -0.21, and 0.50, respectively. For RRM-BS with 2 intervals, the correlation was 0.66 between LS 5 to 7 and 8 to 13. Parameters obtained by 3 RRM revealed the nonlinear relationship between additive genetic effect of NSB and the environmental deviation of LS. The negative correlations between the 2 extreme LS might possibly indicate different genetic bases on incidence of stillbirth.

A novel xylene substitute for histotechnology and histochemistry

Propylene glycol methyl ether (PGME) exhibits excellent solvent and coupling properties. A toxicity database provided evidence suggesting that PGME might be a useful substitute for xylene in histotechnology and histochemistry applications. Tissue specimens were fixed, cleared in either PGME or xylene, embedded in paraffin wax, then dewaxed in either PGME or xylene. Sections were treated with the following stains: hematoxylin & eosin (H & E), three special stains of the Gordon/Sweet silver staining method, PAS, and Masson's trichrome, and immunostains including actin, CD3, CD34, CK, CK7/CK9, Ki-67, and ER/PR. The sections were mounted in a resinous medium consisting of PGME and pinene copolymer, then examined under a microscope. Variables such as water tolerance, dimension change, organic solvency, and anti-fading efficacy also were assessed. Depending on the application, PGME performance was equal to or exceeded that of xylene. PGME provided better optical clarity and nuclear detail, did not harden the tissue samples, conserved tissue antigenicity, and was amenable to resinous mounting. Tissues not dehydrated with absolute ethanol also were processed properly. Tissues treated with PGME did not warp or contract compared to those treated with xylene (p < 0.0001). PGME, however, exhibited less organic solvency than xylene. There was no discernible change in the colors of stains in sections processed with PGME even after storage for two years. These results suggest that PGME is a novel xylene substitute for applications in histotechnology and histochemistry.

Biodegradation of propionitrile by Klebsiella oxytoca immobilized in alginate and cellulose triacetate gel

A microbial process for the degradation of propionitrile by Klebsiella oxytoca was studied. The microorganism, K. oxytoca, was isolated from the discharged wastewater of metal plating factory in southern Taiwan and adapted for propionitrile biodegradation. The free and immobilized cells of K. oxytoca were then examined for their capabilities on degrading propionitrile under various conditions. Alginate (AL) and cellulose triacetate (CT) techniques were applied for the preparation of immobilized cells. The efficiency and produced metabolic intermediates and end-products of propionitrile degradation were monitored in bath and continuous bioreactor experiments. Results reveal that up to 100 and 150 mM of propionitrile could be removed completely by the free and immobilized cell systems, respectively. Furthermore, both immobilized cell systems show higher removal efficiencies in wider ranges of temperature (20-40 degrees C) and pH (6-8) compared with the free cell system. Results also indicate that immobilized cell system could support a higher cell density to enhance the removal efficiency of propionitrile. Immobilized cells were reused in five consecutive degradation experiments, and up to 99% of propionitrile degradation was observed in each batch test. This suggests that the activity of immobilized cells can be maintained and reused throughout different propionitrile degradation processes. A two-step pathway was observed for the biodegradation of propionitrile. Propionamide was first produced followed by propionic acid and ammonia. Results suggest that nitrile hydratase and amidase were involved in the degradation pathways of K. oxytoca. In the continuous bioreactor, both immobilized cells were capable of removing 150 mM of propionitriles completely within 16h, and the maximum propionitriles removal rates using AL and CT immobilized beads were 5.04 and 4.98 mM h(-1), respectively. Comparing the removal rates obtained from batch experiments with immobilized cells (AL and CT were 1.57 and 2.18 mM h(-1) at 150 mM of propionitrile, respectively), the continuous-flow bioreactor show higher potential for practical application.

Sorption of toluene by humic acids derived from lake sediment and mountain soil at different pH

Contamination of soil and groundwater with BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) depends on the sorption behavior of these compounds by soil organic matter (SOM) and humic acids (HAs). In this study sorption of toluene by HAs extracted from lake sediment and mountain soil was investigated. HA suspensions were adjusted to pH 4.00, 6.00, or 8.00 and made to the concentration of 200 mg L(-1). Each HA suspension or solution was subjected to particle size analysis using high performance particle sizer (HPPS). The particle size of HA from lake sediment was around 1000-1200 nm while that from mountain soil was 220-320 nm at suspension pH 4.00. Kinetic studies showed that sorption of toluene by the two HAs followed pseudo-first-order and mainly pseudo-zero-order kinetics. At suspension pH 4.00, the sorption of toluene by the two HAs was best described by Langmuir and Temkin adsorption isotherm models. Further, sorption of toluene by the lake sediment HA was significantly greater than that by mountain soil HA. It was thus suggested that the lake sediment HA with larger particle size may develop beneficially chemical conformation for sorption of toluene and related compounds in soil and associated environments.

Molecular detection of Muscovy duck parvovirus by loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay

Muscovy duck parvovirus (MDPV) usually causes high morbidity and mortality in 1- to 3-wk-old Muscovy ducklings due to serious infections, which is an imminent threat to the commercial duck industry in China. The objectives of this study were to develop and evaluate a simple, rapid, and inexpensive loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for specific detection of MDPV and to compare it with the PCR method in rapidity, sensitivity, and accuracy. The novel LAMP assay used a set of 4 specific primers to recognize 6 distinct genomic sequences of capsid protein (VP3) from MDPV, which could be completed within 50 min at 63 degrees C in a simple water bath. The diagnostic results demonstrated that the LAMP assay detected all 7 preserved MDPV isolates, had no cross-reactivity with other duck pathogens (i.e., goose parvovirus, duck plague virus, H9N2 avian influenza virus, duck hepatitis type virus I, and Muscovy duck reovirus). The LAMP assay was at least 10-fold more sensitive than the routine PCR assay and obtained more sensitivity in 61 clinical samples. Therefore, the newly developed LAMP assay provides a specific and sensitive means for detecting MDPV and can be simply applied both in field conditions and in laboratory operations in a cost-effective manner with primary care facilities.

First Report of Fruit Rot of Loquat Caused by an Alternaria sp. in Taiwan

During March 2007, a fruit rot disease was observed in several loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunberg) Lindley) fields located in Taichung, Nantou, and Miaoli counties. Loquat is a valuable fruit crop grown predominantly in central Taiwan, and hence, even a minor yield loss by this new disease is economically significant. Symptoms on fruits initially appeared as small lesions (<1 mm) that later developed into light-to-dark brown, circular, larger (7 mm), sunken lesions, indicating invasion of a pathogen into the fruit. Pieces of rotted fruit tissue (1 × 1 × 1 mm) were immersed for 1 min in 3% commercial bleach, followed by 70% ethanol, cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated under constant fluorescent light (185 ± 35 μE·m^-2·s^-1) at 24°C for 2 days. Three single conidial isolates (AS1 to AS3) were selected and used in morphological and pathogenicity studies. All three isolates were identified as an Alternaria sp. (1-3) and formed abundant, dark brown mycelium when cultured on PDA with light at 24°C. Conidiophores were 60 to 89 × 3 to 5 μm, densely fasciculate, cylindrical, simple or branched, and had distinct conidial scars. Conidia were 12 to 74 × 6 to 14 μm, golden brown, straight or curved, obclavate with beaks measuring half the length of the conidium, and observed in chains of 10 or more spores with four to seven transverse septa and several longitudinal septa. Pathogenicity tests were conducted twice by inoculating eight surface-sterilized wounded or unwounded fruits with each of the three isolates in each experiment. Two cuts (1 × 1 × 1 mm) were made on each fruit 3 cm apart with a sterile scalpel, and a 300-μl spore suspension (2 × 10⁵ conidia per ml) was placed on each wound. Similarly, a 300-μl spore suspension was placed on unwounded fruits and air dried for 5 min. Control fruits were similarly treated with sterile water. Inoculated fruits were enclosed in a plastic bag and kept at 24 ± 1°C. Symptoms of soft rot were observed on 60% (unwounded) and 100% (wounded) of inoculated fruits 5 days after inoculation, while control fruits did not develop disease symptoms. Reisolation from the symptomatic fruits consistently yielded an Alternaria sp. This fungus previously has been reported as the causal agent of fruit rot or black spot of papaya, mango, kiwifruit, pear, and carambola from Australia, India, Malaysia, South Africa, and the United States (1-3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of fruit rot of loquat caused by an Alternaria sp. in Taiwan. To manage this disease, growers may resort to fungicidal sprays followed by bagging of fruits to reduce pre- and postharvest losses. References: (1) A. L. Jones and H. S. Aldwinckle. Compendium of Apple and Pear Diseases. The American Phytopathological Society. St. Paul, MN, 1990. (2) R. C. Ploetz. Diseases of Tropical Fruit Crops. CABI Publishing. Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK, 2003. (3) R. C. Ploetz et al. Compendium of Tropical Fruit Diseases. The American Phytopathological Society. St. Paul, MN, 1994.

The effect of intertube van der Waals interaction on the stability of pristine and functionalized carbon nanotubes under compression

This paper investigates the effect of intertube van der Waals interaction on the stability of pristine and covalently functionalized carbon nanotubes under axial compression, using molecular mechanics simulations. After regulating the number of inner layers of the armchair four-walled (5, 5)@(10, 10)@(15, 15)@(20, 20) and zigzag four-walled (6, 0)@(15, 0)@(24, 0)@(33, 0) carbon nanotubes, the critical buckling strains of the corresponding tubes are calculated. The results show that each of the three inner layers in the functionalized armchair nanotube noticeably contributes to the stability of the outermost tube, and together increase the critical strain amplitude by 155%. However, the three inner layers in the corresponding pristine nanotube, taken together, increase the critical strain of the outermost tube by only 23%. In addition, for both the pristine and functionalized zigzag nanotubes, only the (24, 0) layer, among the three inner layers, contributes to the critical strain of the corresponding outermost tube, by 11% and 29%, respectively. The underlying mechanism of the enhanced stability related to nanotube chirality and functionalization is analyzed in detail.

Role of citric acid in the formation of silver nanoplates through a synergistic reduction approach

This study discusses the function of citrate ions in the synthesis of silver nanoplates through a synergetic reduction approach in ambient conditions. It was found that the citrate ions can play multiple roles in the synthesis process, including a reducing agent, a stabilizer, and a complex agent, and they show some unique features under the reported conditions. The reducing ability of these citrate ions was shown to be weaker than that of sodium borohydride and/or L-ascorbic acid used in the same system. The stability in the shape/size control of silver particles is weaker than that of other surfactants tested in the present system, such as bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) and thiols. Citrate ions could form a silver complex with silver ions as [Ag(2)(+)...citrate] or [Ag(3)(C(6)H(5)O(7))(n+1)](3n-), as confirmed by electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry and the kinetic analysis that the molar ratio of citric acid or sodium citrate to silver ions can greatly influence the reaction rate and, hence, the particle growth of silver nanoparticles. Such a complexing effect is further confirmed by the use of chelating ions (e.g., [Fe(CN)(6)](4-)) to form Ag(n)[Fe(CN)(6)](n-4), which can largely influence the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. These results show some formation results of generating silver nanoplates involving citrate ions, which are useful in the shape-controlled synthesis of other metallic nanoparticles with desirable functionalities.

Elevated serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate level correlates with increased risk for metabolic syndrome in the elderly men

BACKGROUND

The previous studies regarding the association between endogenous dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulphate level and metabolic syndrome are inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate such relationship in elderly Taiwanese men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five hundred and eighty-five elderly Taiwanese men (mean age 68.7 +/- 8.3 years) were enrolled as the baseline cohort population in 2000. In addition to a questionnaire, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipids, albumin and serum DHEA-S levels were measured for each participant. Metabolic syndrome was based on the definition by the America Heart Association/National Heart Lung Blood Institute.

RESULTS

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 33.3%. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses with adjustments for age, smoking, alcohol, physical activities, albumin and BMI, there was a positive relationship between serum DHEA-S level and metabolic syndrome. The highest DHEA-S quartile group had increased risk for metabolic syndrome (odds ratio = 2.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.44-5.01, P < 0.01) compared with the lowest quartile group. The mean serum DHEA-S level increased with increasing number of metabolic syndrome components.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases with elevated DHEA-S levels among elderly Taiwanese men. Thus, elevated serum DHEA-S level should be treated as an important risk factor for metabolic syndrome in elderly men.