Differential expression and alternative splicing analyses of multiple tissues reveal albinism-associated genes in the Wels catfish (Silurus glanis)

Albinism is a widespread departure from a typical body colouration due to altered melanin production. The Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) is among the largest freshwater fish species in the world, and albino individuals occur both in the wild and in aquaculture. Here, we performed transcriptome-wide analysis of albino and normally pigmented S. glanis using four tissues (skin, dorsal fin, whole eye and liver) to identify genes associated with albinism by exploring patterns of differential expression (DE) and differential alternative splicing (DAS). Multi-tissue analyses revealed a large number of genes in skin (n = 1355) and fin (n = 614) tissue associated with the albino phenotype in S. glanis, while the number of DE genes in eye and liver tissues was lower (n = 188, n = 189, respectively). Several DE genes across multiple tissues were detected as the most promising candidates (e.g., hsp4, hsp90b1, raph1, uqcrfs1, adcy-family and wnt-family) potentially causally linked to the albino phenotype in Wels catfish. Moreover, our findings supported earlier observations of physiological differences between albino and normally pigmented individuals, particularly in energy metabolism and immune response. In contrast, there were only a few pigmentation-related genes observed among DAS genes (4 in skin, 2 in fin), the overlap between DAS and DE genes was low (n = 25) and did not include known pigmentation-related genes. This suggests that DAS and DE in Wels catfish are, to a large extent, independent processes, and the observed alternative splicing cases are probably not causally linked with albinism in S. glanis. This work provides the first transcriptome-wide multi-tissue insights into the albinism of Wels catfish and serves as a valuable resource for further understanding the genetic mechanisms of pigmentation in fish.

High-Q Magnetic Levitation and Control of Superconducting Microspheres at Millikelvin Temperatures

We report the levitation of a superconducting lead-tin sphere with 100  μm diameter (corresponding to a mass of 5.6  μg) in a static magnetic trap formed by two coils in an anti-Helmholtz configuration, with adjustable resonance frequencies up to 240 Hz. The center-of-mass motion of the sphere is monitored magnetically using a dc superconducting quantum interference device as well as optically and exhibits quality factors of up to 2.6×10^{7}. We also demonstrate 3D magnetic feedback control of the motion of the sphere. The setup is housed in a dilution refrigerator operating at 15 mK. By implementing a cryogenic vibration isolation system, we can attenuate environmental vibrations at 200 Hz by approximately 7 orders of magnitude. The combination of low temperature, large mass, and high quality factor provides a promising platform for testing quantum physics in previously unexplored regimes with high mass and long coherence times.

Motor performance, motor impairments, and quality of life after eccentric resistance training in neurological populations: A systematic review and meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

Many overlapping factors impair motor performance and quality of life in neurological patients. Eccentric resistance training (ET) has potential benefits for improving motor performance and treating motor impairments better than some traditional rehabilitation approaches.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effect of ET in neurological settings.

METHODS

Seven databases were reviewed up to May 2022 according to PRSIMA guidelines to find randomized clinical trials involving adults with a neurological condition, who underwent ET as set by the American College of Sports Medicine. Motor performance (main outcome) was assessed as strength, power and capacities during activity. Secondary outcomes (impairments) were muscle structure, flexibility, muscle activity, tone, tremor, balance and fatigue. Tertiary outcomes were risk of fall, and self-reports of quality of life.

RESULTS

Ten trials were included, assessed using Risk of Bias 2.0 tool, and used to compute meta-analyses. Effective effects in favour of ET were found for strength and power, but not for capacities during activity. Mixed results were found for secondary and tertiary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

ET may be a promising intervention to better improve strength/power in neurological patients. More studies are needed to improve the quality of evidence underlying changes responsible for these results.

Hyperbaric oxygen in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review of effectiveness and safety

PURPOSE

To report current evidence regarding the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the impairments presented by children with cerebral palsy (CP), and its safety.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PUBMED, The Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society database were searched by two reviewers. Methodological quality was graded independently by 2 reviewers using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database assessment scale for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the modified Downs and Black (m-DB) evaluation tool for non RCTs. A meta-analysis was performed where applicable for RCTs.

RESULTS

Five RCTs were identified. Four had a high level of evidence. Seven other studies were observational studies of low quality. All RCTs used 100% O2, 1.5 to 1.75 ATA, as the treatment intervention. Pressurized air was the control intervention in 3 RCTs, and physical therapy in 2. In all but one RCTs, similar improvements were observed regarding motor and/or cognitive functions, in the HBOT and control groups. Adverse events were mostly of mild severity, the most common being middle ear barotrauma (up to 50% of children).

CONCLUSION

There is high-level evidence that HBOT is ineffective in improving motor and cognitive functions, in children with CP. There is moderate-level evidence that HBOT is associated with a higher rate of adverse events than pressurized air in children.

Spinal cord injury: A multisystem physiological impairment/dysfunction

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex disease that affects not only sensory and motor pathways below the neurological level of injury (NLI) but also all the organs and systems situated below this NLI. This multisystem impairment implies comprehensive management in dedicated SCI specialized centers, by interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams, able to treat not only the neurological impairment, but also all the systems and organs affected. After a brief history of the Spinal Cord Medicine, the author describes how to determine the level and severity of a SCI based on the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury and the prognosis factors of recovery. This article provides also a review of the numerous SCI-related impairments (except for urinary, sexual problems and pain treated separately in this issue), their principles of management and related complications.

Temperature-Dependent Spin Transport and Current-Induced Torques in Superconductor-Ferromagnet Heterostructures

We investigate the injection of quasiparticle spin currents into a superconductor via spin pumping from an adjacent ferromagnetic metal layer. To this end, we use NbN-Ni_{80}Fe_{20}(Py) heterostructures with a Pt spin sink layer and excite ferromagnetic resonance in the Permalloy layer by placing the samples onto a coplanar waveguide. A phase sensitive detection of the microwave transmission signal is used to quantitatively extract the inductive coupling strength between the sample and the coplanar waveguide, interpreted in terms of inverse current-induced torques, in our heterostructures as a function of temperature. Below the superconducting transition temperature T_{c}, we observe a suppression of the dampinglike torque generated in the Pt layer by the inverse spin Hall effect, which can be understood by the changes in spin current transport in the superconducting NbN layer. Moreover, below T_{c} we find a large fieldlike current-induced torque.

Observation of Antiferromagnetic Magnon Pseudospin Dynamics and the Hanle Effect

We report on experiments demonstrating coherent control of magnon spin transport and pseudospin dynamics in a thin film of the antiferromagnetic insulator hematite utilizing two Pt strips for all-electrical magnon injection and detection. The measured magnon spin signal at the detector reveals an oscillation of its polarity as a function of the externally applied magnetic field. We quantitatively explain our experiments in terms of diffusive magnon transport and a coherent precession of the magnon pseudospin caused by the easy-plane anisotropy and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. This experimental observation can be viewed as the magnonic analog of the electronic Hanle effect and the Datta-Das transistor, unlocking the high potential of antiferromagnetic magnonics toward the realization of rich electronics-inspired phenomena.

Chronic effects of muscle and nerve-directed stretching on tissue mechanics

Tissue-directed stretching interventions can preferentially load muscular or nonmuscular structures such as peripheral nerves. How these tissues adapt mechanically to long-term stretching is poorly understood. This randomized, single-blind, controlled study used ultrasonography and dynamometry to compare the effects of 12-wk nerve-directed and muscle-directed stretching programs versus control on maximal ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and passive torque, shear wave velocity (SWV; an index of stiffness), and architecture of triceps surae and sciatic nerve. Sixty healthy adults were randomized to receive nerve-directed stretching, muscle-directed stretching, or no intervention (control). The muscle-directed protocol was designed to primarily stretch the plantar flexor muscle group, whereas the nerve-directed intervention targeted the sciatic nerve tract. Compared with the control group [mean; 95% confidence interval (CI)], muscle-directed intervention showed increased ROM (+7.3°; 95% CI: 4.1-10.5), decreased SWV of triceps surae (varied from -0.8 to -2.3 m/s across muscles), decreased passive torque (-6.8 N·m; 95% CI: -11.9 to -1.7), and greater gastrocnemius medialis fascicle length (+0.4 cm; 95% CI: 0.1-0.8). Muscle-directed intervention did not affect the SWV and size of sciatic nerve. Participants in the nerve-directed group showed a significant increase in ROM (+9.9°; 95% CI: 6.2-13.6) and a significant decrease in sciatic nerve SWV (> -1.8 m/s across nerve regions) compared with the control group. Nerve-directed intervention had no effect on the main outcomes at muscle and joint levels. These findings provide new insights into the long-term mechanical effects of stretching interventions and have relevance to clinical conditions where change in mechanical properties has occurred.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates that the mechanical properties of plantar flexor muscles and sciatic nerve can adapt mechanically to long-term stretching programs. Although interventions targeting muscular or nonmuscular structures are both effective at increasing maximal range of motion, the changes in tissue mechanical properties (stiffness) are specific to the structure being preferentially stretched by each program. We provide the first in vivo evidence that stiffness of peripheral nerves adapts to long-term loading stimuli using appropriate nerve-directed stretching.

COVID-19 pandemic. What should Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine specialists do? A clinician's perspective

COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly spreading all over the world, creating the risk for a healthcare collapse. While acute care and intensive care units are the main pillars of the early response to the disease, rehabilitative medicine should play an important part in allowing COVID-19 survivors to reduce disability and optimize the function of acute hospital setting. The aim of this study was to share the experience and the international perspective of different rehabilitation centers, treating COVID-19 survivors. A group of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists from eleven different countries in Europe and North America have shared their clinical experience in dealing with COVID-19 survivors and how they have managed the re-organization of rehabilitation services. In our experience the most important sequelae of severe and critical forms of COVID-19 are: 1) respiratory; 2) cognitive, central and peripheral nervous system; 3) deconditioning; 4) critical illness related myopathy and neuropathy; 5) dysphagia; 6) joint stiffness and pain; 7) psychiatric. We analyze all these consequences and propose some practical treatment options, based on current evidence and clinical experience, as well as several suggestions for management of rehabilitation services and patients with suspected or confirmed infection by SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 survivors have some specific rehabilitation needs. Experience from other centers may help colleagues in organizing their services and providing better care to their patients.

Spin Transport in a Magnetic Insulator with Zero Effective Damping

Applications based on spin currents strongly rely on the control and reduction of their effective damping and their transport properties. We here experimentally observe magnon mediated transport of spin (angular) momentum through a 13.4-nm thin yttrium iron garnet film with full control of the magnetic damping via spin-orbit torque. Above a critical spin-orbit torque, the fully compensated damping manifests itself as an increase of magnon conductivity by almost 2 orders of magnitude. We compare our results to theoretical expectations based on recently predicted current induced magnon condensates and discuss other possible origins of the observed critical behavior.

Influence of low muscle activation levels on the ankle torque and muscle shear modulus during plantar flexor stretching

During stretching studies, surface electromyography (sEMG) is used to ensure the passive state of the muscle, for the characterization of passive muscle mechanical properties. Different thresholds (1%, 2% or 5% of maximal) are indifferently used to set "passive state". This study aimed to investigate the effects of a slight activity on the joint and muscle mechanical properties during stretching. The joint torque and muscle shear modulus of the triceps surae muscles were measured in fifteen healthy volunteers during ankle dorsiflexions: (i) in a "fully relaxed" state, (ii) during active conditions where participants were asked to produce an sEMG amplitude of 1%, 2% or 5% of their maximal sEMG amplitude of the triceps surae. The 1% condition was the only that did not result in significant differences in joint torque or shear modulus compared to the relaxed condition. In the 2% condition, increases in joint torque were found at 80% of the maximal angle in dorsiflexion, and in the shear modulus of gastrocnemius medialis and gastrocnemius lateralis at the maximal angle in dorsiflexion. During the 5% condition, joint torque and the shear modulus of gastrocnemius medialis were higher than during relaxed condition at angles larger than 40% of maximal angle in dorsiflexion. The results provide new insights on the thresholds that should be considered for the design of stretching studies. A threshold of 1% seems much more appropriate than a 2% or 5% threshold in healthy participants. Further studies are required to define similar thresholds for patients.

Secure quantum remote state preparation of squeezed microwave states

Quantum communication protocols based on nonclassical correlations can be more efficient than known classical methods and offer intrinsic security over direct state transfer. In particular, remote state preparation aims at the creation of a desired and known quantum state at a remote location using classical communication and quantum entanglement. We present an experimental realization of deterministic continuous-variable remote state preparation in the microwave regime over a distance of 35 cm. By employing propagating two-mode squeezed microwave states and feedforward, we achieve the remote preparation of squeezed states with up to 1.6 dB of squeezing below the vacuum level. Finally, security of remote state preparation is investigated by using the concept of the one-time pad and measuring the von Neumann entropies. We find nearly identical values for the entropy of the remotely prepared state and the respective conditional entropy given the classically communicated information and, thus, demonstrate close-to-perfect security.

Continuous-variable remote state preparation in the microwave domain would allow to leverage the superconducting technology for quantum networks applications. Here, the authors show how to deterministically prepare squeezed Gaussian states across 35 cm using previously shared entanglement.

(Blut-)Gerinnung und Wundverschluß bei Invertebraten

Außer der Tatsache, daß in allen beschriebenen Tierstämmen Zellen entweder allein oder zusammen mit einem Plasmabestandteil „Gerinnsel” bilden, gibt es keinen Befund zur Gerinnung oder Blutstillung bei Invertebraten, der in allen Stämmen und Klassen übereinstimmend erhoben wurde. Neben der Subjektivität in der Darstellung und Beurteilung (z. B. mikroskopischer Befunde), dem Zustand und Entwicklungsstadium der Versuchstiere und dem verschieden schnellen Ablauf der Gerinnungserscheinungen haben sicherlich die jeweils angewandten Methoden der Blutentnahme und Untersuchung in entscheidendem Maße die Versuchsergebnisse beeinflußt. Bei einer größeren Zahl von Arbeiten handelt es sich nur um die Beschreibung makroskopisch erkennbarer Veränderungen nach Austritt des Blutes bzw. der Körperflüssigkeit. In der Mehrzahl sind die Darstellungen der Gerinnungsverhältnisse aus mikroskopischen Beobachtungen gewonnen, die sich aber in der Technik weitgehend unterscheiden. Beobachtungen eines Bluttropfens auf dem Objektträger, eines hängenden Tropfens (auch in einer feuchten Kammer), eines Blutfilms unter dem Deckglas und eines Bluttropfens, der in Öl eingetaucht ist, sind die am häufigsten angewandten mikroskopischen Untersuchungen, für die das Lichtmikroskop, das Phasenkontrastmikroskop und in einem Fall [Franke (1960)] das Elektronenmikroskop herangezogen wurden. Auf den Einfluß der Methodik auf die Versuchsergebnisse wurde von einigen Autoren immer wieder hingewiesen, zuletzt von Franke (1960), der ein eindrucksvolles Beispiel (Einfluß des pH-Wertes) gibt. Untersuchungsmethoden, die denen der Gerinnungsforschung an Säugetieren entsprechen, wurden bzw. konnten nur bei Arthropoden — und hier wiederum vorwiegend bei Crustaceen — angewandt werden. Die letzteren weisen nicht nur „Gerinnung” eines Plasmabestandteils, sondern vor allem auch ausreichende Blutmengen für solche Untersuchungen auf. Die Blutentnahme bei großen Crustaceen ist relativ leicht, wogegen bei Insekten winzige Ausbeuten und ein intensiver Kontakt mit Wundrändern und fremden Oberflächen nicht zu vermeiden sind. Da eine der wichtigsten Möglichkeiten, den Gerinnungsvorgang zu analysieren, in der Zugabe von Substanzen besteht, deren Wirkung und Eigenschaften bekannt sind (z. B. Inhibitoren der Gerinnung), besteht bei der oft rasch eintretenden Gerinnselbildung die Gefahr, daß zu dem Zeitpunkt, an dem Blut und die zu testenden Substanzen zusammenkommen, die Zell- und Plasmaveränderungen schon so weit fortgeschritten sind, daß eine sichere Beeinflussung nicht mehr zustande kommt.

Effects of stroke injury on the shear modulus of the lower leg muscle during passive dorsiflexion

Contractures are common complications of a stroke. The spatial location of the increased stiffness among plantar flexors and its variability among survivors remain unknown. This study assessed the mechanical properties of the lower leg muscles in stroke survivors during passive dorsiflexions. Stiffness was estimated through the measurement of the shear modulus. Two experiments were independently conducted, in which participants lay supine: with the knee extended ( experiment 1, n = 13 stroke survivors and n = 13 controls), or with the knee flexed at 90° ( experiment 2, n = 14 stroke survivors and n = 14 controls). The shear modulus of plantar flexors [gastrocnemius medialis (three locations), gastrocnemius lateralis (three locations), soleus (two locations), flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus), peroneus longus] and dorsiflexors (tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus) was measured using ultrasound shear wave elastography during passive dorsiflexions (2°/s). At the same ankle angle, stroke survivors displayed higher shear modulus than controls for gastrocnemius medialis and gastrocnemius lateralis (knee extended) and soleus (knee flexed). Very low shear modulus was found for the other muscles. The adjustment for muscle slack angle suggested that the increased shear modulus was arising from consequences of contractures. The stiffness distribution between muscles was consistent across participants with the highest shear modulus reported for the most distal regions of gastrocnemius medialis (knee extended) and soleus (knee flexed). These results provide a better appreciation of stiffness locations among plantar flexors of stroke survivors and can provide evidence for the implementation of clinical trials to evaluate targeted interventions applied on these specific muscle regions.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The shear modulus of 13 muscle regions was assessed in stroke patients using elastography. When compared with controls, shear modulus was increased in the gastrocnemius muscle (GM) when the knee was extended and in the soleus (SOL) when the knee was flexed. The distal regions of GM and SOL were the most affected. These changes were consistent in all the stroke patients, suggesting that the regions are a potential source of the increase in joint stiffness.

Non-Muscular Structures Can Limit the Maximal Joint Range of Motion during Stretching

Stretching is widely used in sport training and clinical practice with the aim of increasing muscle-tendon extensibility and joint range of motion. The underlying assumption is that extensibility increases as a result of increased passive tension applied to muscle-tendon units. In some stretching protocols, this condition is not always met sufficiently to trigger adaptation within the muscle-tendon unit. For example, there is experimental evidence that both acute and chronic stretching interventions may increase the maximal range of motion in the absence of changes in the passive torque-angle curve. We contend that these results are partly explained by the influence of non-muscular structures that contribute only marginally to the passive torque. The potential candidates are the nervous system and fasciae, which would play an important role in the perception of the stretch and in the limitation of the range of motion of the maximal joints. At least in part, this may explain the lack of a significant effect of some chronic stretching interventions to change passive muscle tension.

Patterns of upper limb muscle activation in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: Variability and detection of deviations

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to quantify the variability of upper limb electromyographic patterns during elbow movements in typically developing children and children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy, and to compare different amplitude normalization methods; (2) to develop a method using this variability to detect (a) deviations in the patterns of a child with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy from the average patterns of typically developing children, and (b) changes after treatment to reduce muscle activation.

METHODS

Twelve typically developing children ([6.7-15.9yo]; mean 11.0 SD 3.0yo) and six children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy ([7.9-17.4yo]; mean 12.4 SD 4.0yo) attended two sessions during which they performed elbow extension-flexion and pronation-supination movements. Surface electromyography of the biceps, triceps, brachioradialis, pronator teres, pronator quadratus, and brachialis muscles was recorded. The Likelihood method was used to estimate the inter-trial, inter-session, and inter-subject variability of the electromyography patterns for each time point in the movement cycle. Deviations in muscle patterns from the patterns of typically developing children and changes following treatment were evaluated in a case study of a child with cerebral palsy.

FINDINGS

Normalization of electromyographic amplitude by the mean peak yielded the lowest variability. The variability data were then used in the case study. This method detected higher levels of activation in specific muscles compared with typically developing children, and a reduction in muscle activation after botulinum toxin A injections.

INTERPRETATION

Upper limb surface electromyography pattern analysis can be used for clinical applications in children with cerebral palsy.

Medial temporal lobe functional connectivity predicts stimulation-induced theta power

Focal electrical stimulation of the brain incites a cascade of neural activity that propagates from the stimulated region to both nearby and remote areas, offering the potential to control the activity of brain networks. Understanding how exogenous electrical signals perturb such networks in humans is key to its clinical translation. To investigate this, we applied electrical stimulation to subregions of the medial temporal lobe in 26 neurosurgical patients fitted with indwelling electrodes. Networks of low-frequency (5–13 Hz) spectral coherence predicted stimulation-evoked increases in theta (5–8 Hz) power, particularly when stimulation was applied in or adjacent to white matter. Stimulation tended to decrease power in the high-frequency broadband (HFB; 50–200 Hz) range, and these modulations were correlated with HFB-based networks in a subset of subjects. Our results demonstrate that functional connectivity is predictive of causal changes in the brain, capturing evoked activity across brain regions and frequency bands.

Direct electrical brain stimulation can induce widespread changes in neural activity, offering a means to modulate network-wide activity and treat disease. Here, the authors show that the low-frequency functional connectivity profile of a stimulation target predicts where induced theta activity occurs.

Impact of Chemotherapy Stock-Out on Standard Therapy Delivery Among Cancer Patients in Botswana

Background: Cancer drug shortages represent a complex global issue with potentially adverse survival outcomes. Up to 98% of oncologists and pharmacists surveyed in North America reported at least 1 drug shortage in the prior year and 66% reported at least one patient who had clinical care impacted by the shortage. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), these shortages are even more frequent. No studies to our knowledge have evaluated the impact of chemotherapy stock-out on receipt of standard cancer therapy in LMICs. Aim: Quantify the association between the duration of chemotherapy stock-out and the risk of having a suboptimal therapy delivery event, compared with standard delivery of therapy among cancer patients in Botswana. Methods: Prevalent cohort study of patients with cervical, breast, prostate, esophagus, Kaposi sarcoma, head and neck cancers, lung, uterine, ovarian and colorectal cancers who received any systemic therapy between 01/01/16-12/31/16 at Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana. Primary exposure was stock-out duration per cycle interval calculated by generating a code for the six different patterns for chemotherapy stock-out, using stock data at the Central Medical Stores. Primary outcome was suboptimal therapy delivery defined as a dose reduction, dose delay or switch in intended therapy. We measured statistical associations using two sample t-test and mixed effects univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: 378 patients were identified who met diagnostic criteria and received systemic chemotherapy in 2016. Of these, 293 received commonly prescribed standard regimens who contributed 1452 cycle intervals and were included in our analysis. Majority of the patients (48%) had breast cancer. The mean duration of stock-out for receipt of standard therapy without events was 3.2 days (95% CI: 2.8-3.7) compared with 7.8 days for patients who had a suboptimal therapy delivery event (95% CI: 6.6-9) ( P < 0.0001). Male sex, age < 65 and HIV-positive status were also significantly associated with an increased risk of experiencing dose reduction, change in therapy or switch in therapy. Adjusting for these factors in a mixed effects logistic regression, each week of stock-out was independently associated with an 80% increased risk of having a suboptimal therapy delivery event (OR=1.8 (95% CI: 1.6-2.0, P < 0.0001)). Conclusion: Chemotherapy stock-out is independently associated with an 80% increased risk of a patient experiencing dose reduction, change in therapy or delay in therapy. The risk increases with longer duration of stock out. Given prior data showing that these events lead to worse survival outcomes, our further analysis is focusing on quantifying risk of stock-out on survival outcomes in this population. to determine whether interventions promoting standard therapy delivery are warranted to optimize survival outcomes.

Parity-Engineered Light-Matter Interaction

The concept of parity describes the inversion symmetry of a system and is of fundamental relevance in the standard model, quantum information processing, and field theory. In quantum electrodynamics, parity is conserved and large field gradients are required to engineer the parity of the light-matter interaction operator. In this work, we engineer a potassiumlike artificial atom represented by a specifically designed superconducting flux qubit. We control the wave function parity of the artificial atom with an effective orbital momentum provided by a resonator. By irradiating the artificial atom with spatially shaped microwave fields, we select the interaction parity in situ. In this way, we observe dipole and quadrupole selection rules for single state transitions and induce transparency via longitudinal coupling. Our work advances the design of tunable artificial multilevel atoms to a new level, which is particularly promising with respect to quantum chemistry simulations with near-term superconducting circuits.

Quantitative Determination of the Amino Acids and other Ninhydrin Positive Substances in Normal Human Platelets

In normal human platelets twenty amino acids and additionally taurine, phosphoethanolamine and phosphoserine were determined on a quantitative basis, using elution chromatography on ion exchangers.

The highest molar share goes to taurine, glutamic acid, alanine, aspartic acid, proline and serine. The other amino acids can be found in free form only in a low concentration in platelets.

The connection of these results with other investigations on the metabolism is discussed.

The Significance of Malate Dehydrogenase Isoenzymes in Human Blood Platelets

Two MDH isoenzymes were detected in the homogenate of normal human blood platelets. According to their properties the cationic isoenzyme is compartmentalized in the mitochondria, the anionic one belongs to the cytoplasma. In spite of the few mitochondria in human blood platelets the proportion of the cationic enzyme is relatively high.

Both of these enzymes could belong to a transfer system for malate transport across the mitochondrial membrane. As human blood platelets do not contain creatine phosphate a system like that could be of significance for platelet function.

The Differentiation of Acid Phosphatases of Human Blood Platelets

The Acid Phosphatase was tested in human platelets and in the rat liver mitochondrial-lysosomal fraction with p-nitrophenylphosphate and β-glycerophosphate as substrates. In the platelets the following differences were found between the hydrolysis of these two substrates, whereas in rat liver no such differences were observed. 1. The relative rates of hydrolysis and the pH optima for both substrates are different (pH 4.6 for the β-glycerophosphatase, pH 6.0 for the p-nitrophenylphosphatase in the platelets). 2. The p-nitrophenylphosphatase of the platelets is inhibited by p-chlormercuribenzoate and N-ethylmaleimide, but not by fluoride or L + tartrate, whereas the contrary is true for the platelet β-glycerophosphatase and the rat liver activities. 3. The platelet p-nitrophenylphosphatase is rapidly inactivated by preincubation at 40-45° C for 15 min, the other phosphatases are much more heat-resistant. 4. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation of platelet homgenates showed a separation of the two platelet phosphatase activities, the p-nitrophenylphosphatase with its maximum at lower densities than the β-glycerophosphatase.

It is concluded that in human platelets there are at least two different Acid Phosphatases. The β-glycerophosphatase probably represents the lysosomal (as compared to the rat liver enzyme) phosphatase whereas the p-nitrophenylphosphatase of the platelets is a different enzyme whose subcellular localization and functions are as yet unknown.

Localization of Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation by Incubation of Platelet Rich EDTA-Plasma at 37°C

By photometric and microscopic technics investigations have been carried out to determine the nature of the inhibition of platelet aggregation caused by incubating platelet rich EDTA-plasma at 37° C. The results clearly indicate that the inhibition must arise from alterations in the platelets themselves. The appearance of an inhibitory substance in plasma and the release of such a substance from the platelets into the plasma have been excluded. Addition of ADP to the inhibited platelets did not influence the inhibition of platelet aggregation.

Untersuchungen über den In-vitro-Einfluß der kationischen Polypeptide Protaminsulfat und Trasylol auf Aggregation und Retraktion menschlicher Blutplättchen

Basische Polypeptide wie Polylysin, Protaminsulfat, Trasylol oder Lysozym können konzentrationsabhängig die Blutplättchenaggregation auslösen. Die Reaktion läuft im 2,7 mmol EDTA-Plasma ebenso wie in synthetischen Medien ab, ist also offenbar von der Anwesenheit zweiwertiger Kationen oder plasmatischer Kofaktoren weitgehend unabhängig. Eine Temperaturabhängigkeit ließ sich zwischen 4 und 37° C nicht feststellen, trotzdem konnten wir Stoffwechselsteigerungen in den aggregieren-den Plättchen nachweisen, die nach Art und Ausmaß etwa den durch Ca++- oder Mg++-auslösbaren Veränderungen entsprachen. Die Befunde könnten die bei der Heparinneutralisierung nach extrakorporaler Zirkulation in Form von Thrombo-embolien oder verstärkter Blutungsneigung auftretenden Komplikationen erklären.

Chromatographic Isolation of the LDH-Isoenzymes of Human Blood Platelets and an Investigation of Their Enzyme Kinetics

The LDH-isoenzymes of human blood platelets show a distinct predominance of the isoenzymes 2 and 3 upon chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Small amounts of LDH-1 are also present, while only traces of LDH-4 and -5 can be detected.

Enzyme kinetic investigations of the principal isoenzymes LDH-1, -2 and -3 clearly show that the differences in inhibition constants with pyruvate as substrate which are demonstrable at 25° largely disappear at 37°. On the other hand, the differences among the isoenzymes in their affinity for pyruvate and lactate as substrate as well as in with respect to the optimal substrate concentrations of pyruvate are more marked at 37° than at 25°. Also, the type of inhibition found with lactate as substrate is increasingly the expression of a higher order reaction in going from LDH-1 to LDH-3. A dependence of the LDH distribution pattern upon the metabolism of the cell is discussed. A comparison of our results with thrombocytes with those of other workers with erythrocytes and leucocytes makes it unlikely that the LDH pattern is directly dependent upon the existence of an oxidative metabolism. Rather, the redox potential of the cell could be of importance for the nature of the pattern of isoenzymes and for their differing kinetic properties.

Untersuchungen über das Verteilungsmuster der Laktatdehydrogenase-Isoenzyme menschlicher Blutplättchen

Mit Hilfe der Polyacrylamid-Disc-Elektrophorese wurde das LDH-Isoenzymver-teilungsmuster normaler menschlicher Blutplättchen untersucht und eine Verteilung mit starkem Überwiegen der Banden 2 und 3 bei deutlich geringerem Anteil der LDH-1 gefunden. LDH-4 konnte nur in Spuren, LDH-5 in diesem System nicht nachgewiesen werden. Folgende Anteile wurden für die einzelnen Isoenzyme bestimmt (x ± s, n = 16): LDH-1 = 9,8 ± 7,3, LDH-2 =50,7 ± 7,7, LDH-3 = 38,3 ± 7,5, LDH-4 = 1,2 ± 1,2 rel. %.

Über den Energiestoffwechsel normaler menschlicher Thrombozyten

Es wurden in ungewaschenen und mehrfach gewaschenen Thrombozyten quantitativ folgende Fermente der Glykolyse, des Pentosephosphat- und Zitronensäurezyklus, der Atmungskette, der Phosphatspaltung und der Transaminie-rungen bestimmt:

Hexokinase, Diphosphofruktosealdolase, Trioseisomerase, L-a-Glycerophos-phatdehydrogenase, Phosphoglyceraldehydrogenase, 3-Phosphoglycerat-l -Kinase, Enolase, Pyruvatkinase, Milchsäuredehydrogenase, Glukose-6-Phosphatdehydro-genase, 6-Phosphoglukonatdehydrogenase, TPNH-Oxydase, Isozitronensäure-dehydrogenase, Succinodehydrogenase, Äpfelsäuredehydrogenase, globale Atmungskettenbestimmung, Myokinase, Mg++-aktivierte ATPase, Ca++-aktivierte ATPase, alkalische Phosphatase, Glutamat-Oxalacetat-Transaminase, Glutamat-Pyruvat-Transaminase.

Außerdem wurden an ungewaschenen und mehrfach gewaschenen Blutplättchen Gesamtstoffwechselmessungen sowie Bestimmungen von Intermediär- und Endprodukten des Stoffwechsels vorgenommen, wie Glukoseverbrauch, Milchsäurebildung, Pyruvatbildung, CO2-Bildung, O2-Verbrauch, zusätzlich Bestimmungen der energiereichen Phosphate ATP, ADP und AMP.

Folgende Ergebnisse wurden erhalten:

1. Die Blutplättchen enthalten die vollständigen Stoffwechselketten der Glykolyse, des Pentosephosphat- und Zitronensäurezyklus, die Atmungskette, 3 ATP-spaltende Fermente und Transaminasen.

2. Der Gehalt an glykolytischen Enzymen übersteigt bei weitem den Gehalt an Enzymen des oxydativen Kohlenhydratabbaues.

3. Die begrenzende Reaktion der Glykolyse in den Thrombozyten ist die Hexokinase-Reaktion.

4. Der Stoffwechsel der Blutplättchen im Vergleich zu anderen Zellelementen ist groß.

5. Auch unter aeroben Bedingungen wird über die Hälfte der abgebauten Glukose zu Pyruvat und Laktat glykolysiert; nur etwa 1/5 der Glukose wird zu CO2 und H2O verbrannt. ¼ der abgebauten Glukose wurde in den Stoffwechselendprodukten nicht wiedergefunden; es wird angenommen, daß sie zu Glykogen, Aminosäuren und Lipiden metabolisiert wird.

6. Der respiratorische Quotient (R.Q.) der Thrombozyten beträgt 1,1, was für einen vorwiegenden Kohlenhydratstoffwechsel spricht.

7. Der ATP-Gehalt der Blutplättchen ist auffallend hoch und liegt etwa 150mal höher als der ATP-Gehalt der Erythrozyten, bezogen auf das Gesamtprotein der Zellen. Das Verhältnis von ATP : AMP : ADP betrug bei unseren Messungen 3,1 : 2,3 : 1 und liegt damit in der Größenordnung anderer Organe. Dieser Befund spricht dafür, daß bei unseren Versuchsbedingungen die Plättchen nicht geschädigt wurden.

8. Unter dem Einfluß von 1 bis 3 Thrombozytenwaschungen kommt es zu einem weitgehenden Verlust der meisten für den Energiehaushalt wichtigen Enzyme, besonders der phosphatgruppenübertragenden Fermente 3-Phospho-glycerat-1-Kinase und Pyruvatkinase mit der Folge eines starken ATP-Verlustes der Plättchen. Der Zellstoffwechsel wird durch Plättchenwaschungen deutlich beeinträchtigt.

9. Enzym- und Stoffwechseluntersuchungen sollten wegen ihrer Beeinträchtigung durch Thrombozytenwaschungen möglichst an vom Plasma abgetrennten, ungewaschenen Blutplättchen durchgeführt werden. Vergleichende Untersuchungen an Plasmaenzymen zeigten, daß die Meßfehler durch anhaftende Plasmafermente unbedeutend sind und nur etwa 1 bis 10% ausmachen.

10. Eine direkte Abhängigkeit der Retraktionsfähigkeit der Blutplättchen von ihrem Energiestoffwechsel konnte durch Hemmversuche der ATP-liefernden Reaktionen der Glykolyse wahrscheinlich gemacht werden. Bei normaler oder erhöhter Thrombozytenzahl führen 1 bis 3 Waschungen zu einer eben noch erkennbaren Störung der Retraktion, die bei suboptimaler Thrombozytenkonzen-tration deutlicher wird.

11. Vergleichende Untersuchungen über die Enzymverteilungsmuster und die Berechnung der Anteile der einzelnen Enzymproteine am Gesamtprotein der Zellen weisen auf Ähnlichkeiten zwischen dem Stoffwechsel von Skelettmuskulatur und Thrombozyten hin. Beiden Zellelementen ist die Fähigkeit zu mechanischer Arbeit gemeinsam.

The Anterior Sphenoid Wall: Relative Anatomy for Sphenoidotomy

A total of 53 anatomical specimens of the posterior ethmoid and the adjacent anterior sphenoid sinus wall were examined in reference to the operative guidelines for endonasal sphenoidotomy. Six anatomical points of measurement were defined for clinical orientation, and both the absolute and the relative widths of each third (i.e. of each of three vertical sections) of the pars nasalis and the pars ethmoidalis of the anterior sphenoid sinus wall determined.

The choana proved to be the most valuable regional anatomic landmark. In 43 cases (41%), a pervading ethmoidal cell was found, extending superiorly and medically all the way up to the nasal septum. In contrast with certain guidelines reported in the literature, 18% of the specimen (sides) showed a wider pars nasalis in the vertical middle third of the anterior sphenoid sinus wall as compared to the adjacent pars ethmoidalis. The thickness of the bone in the anterior wall was similar in both areas. The present measurements support Wigand's recommendation (1990) that the anterior sphenoid sinus wall be perforated paramedially, 10 mm superiorly to the choana.

9/11-related PTSD among highly exposed populations: a systematic review 15 years after the attack

BACKGROUND

The 11 September 2001 (9/11) attacks were unprecedented in magnitude and mental health impact. While a large body of research has emerged since the attacks, published reviews are few, and are limited by an emphasis on cross-sectional research, short time frame, and exclusion of treatment studies. Additionally, to date, there has been no systematic review of available longitudinal information as a unique data set. Consequently, knowledge regarding long-term trajectories of 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among highly exposed populations, and whether available treatment approaches effectively address PTSD within the context of mass, man-made disaster, remains limited.

METHODS

The present review aimed to address these gaps using a systematic review of peer-reviewed reports from October 2001 to May 2016. Eligible reports were of longitudinal studies of PTSD among highly exposed populations. We identified 20 reports of 9/11-related PTSD, including 13 longitudinal prevalence studies and seven treatment studies.

RESULTS

Findings suggest a substantial burden of 9/11-related PTSD among those highly exposed to the attack, associated with a range of sociodemographic and back-ground factors, and characteristics of peri-event exposure. While most longitudinal studies show declining rates of prevalence of PTSD, studies of rescue/recovery workers have documented an increase over time. Treatment studies were few, and generally limited by methodological shortcomings, but support exposure-based therapies.

CONCLUSION

Future directions for research, treatment, and healthcare policy are discussed.

From Intuition to Computation. Development and problems of medical diagnosis

Modern medical diagnostics are determined by continued influence and mutual interference of 3 essential periods of their development: Empirism and intuition — physical and chemical measurements — computation and other applications of the theory of probabilities.

The advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods are discussed regarding the diagnostic task as well as the relation between doctors and patients. Diagnostic processes are compared as performed by the human brain and by computers.

In internal medicine the diagnostic difficulties and possibilities have reached some kind of culmination.

The great number of system-diseases with their manifestation at so many organs, the rather uniform response of these organs to quite different injuries, corresponding to their structure and function, demonstrate the limits of a to narrow spezialization and a stencil-like automatisation.

Zur Problematik des angemessenen Klassifikationsverfahrens

Bei 5 Zuordnungsregeln wird anhand eines speziellen Datensatzes der Einfluß der Anzahl betrachteter Variablen, Patienten und Krankheiten auf die Klassifikationsergebnisse untersucht. Für die /verwendeten Daten aus der Hämatologie liefern die einfacheren Verfahren (Bayes-Verfahren für quantitative und qualitative Variablen, lineare Diskriminanzanalyse) bessere Resultate als die mathematisch anspruchsvolleren Methoden (Diskriminanzanalyse für qualitative Daten bei Berücksichtigung von Wechselwirkungen 1. Ordnung, nichtlineare Diskriminanzanalyse), und der modellbedingte Fehler erweist sich bei der vorliegenden Datenstruktur als weniger schwerwiegend als der Fehler bei der Parameterschätzung. Während bei qualitativen Daten die Berücksichtigung von mehr als 30 Variablen vorteilhaft sein kann, verbessern bei quantitativen Daten Variablenzahlen über 10 die Ergebnisse nicht nennenswert, verschlechtern jedoch die Stabilität der Schätzungen. In einer Tabelle werden für 3 Verfahren Mindestpatientenzahlen angegeben, die bei den vorliegenden Daten zu stabilen Ergebnissen führen. Die Untersuchungen zeigen, daß die Kreuzvalidisierung eine weitgehend verzerrungsfreie Bewertung von Klassifikationsergebnissen erlaubt. Demgegenüber ist die Reklassifizierung in den meisten Fällen hierfür nicht geeignet.

Observation of the spin Nernst effect

The observation of the spin Hall effect triggered intense research on pure spin current transport. With the spin Hall effect, the spin Seebeck effect and the spin Peltier effect already observed, our picture of pure spin current transport is almost complete. The only missing piece is the spin Nernst (-Ettingshausen) effect, which so far has been discussed only on theoretical grounds. Here, we report the observation of the spin Nernst effect. By applying a longitudinal temperature gradient, we generate a pure transverse spin current in a Pt thin film. For readout, we exploit the magnetization-orientation-dependent spin transfer to an adjacent yttrium iron garnet layer, converting the spin Nernst current in Pt into a controlled change of the longitudinal and transverse thermopower voltage. Our experiments show that the spin Nernst and the spin Hall effect in Pt are of comparable magnitude, but differ in sign, as corroborated by first-principles calculations.

Genetic analysis reveals the diversity of larval Gobiidae in a temperate estuary

Using molecular tools to examine Gobiidae, the second most abundant taxon in ichthyoplankton samples in the Gulf of Riga (Baltic Sea), the sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus was the most abundant taxon (82% of all individuals analysed), the common goby Pomatoschistus microps constituted 12% and the black goby Gobius niger 6%. The spatiotemporal distribution of P. microps and G. niger indicated a preference for habitats closer to the river inlet and their abundances increased slightly towards the end of the sampling period in summer. The species composition was interpreted in the context of the prevailing habitat conditions, characterized by extremely low water transparency, low salinity, limited spread of vegetated area and dominance of sandy-muddy substrata.

Neuromuscular Changes and Damage after Isoload versus Isokinetic Eccentric Exercise

PURPOSE

This study compared the effects of isoload (IL) and isokinetic (IK) knee extensor eccentric exercises on changes in muscle damage and neuromuscular parameters to test the hypothesis that the changes would be different after IL and IK exercises.

METHODS

Twenty-two young men were paired based on their strength and placed in the IL (N = 11) or the IK (N = 11) group. The IL group performed 15 sets of 10 eccentric contractions with a 150% of predetermined one-repetition maximum load. The IK group performed 15 sets of several maximal eccentric contractions matched set by set for the total amount of work and mean angular velocity with the IL group. Muscle damage markers (voluntary isometric peak torque, muscle soreness, and creatine kinase activity) and neuromuscular variables (e.g., voluntary activation, H-reflex, M-wave, and evoked torque) were measured before, immediately after, and 24, 48, 72, and 96 h postexercise.

RESULTS

Voluntary isometric peak torque decreased to the same extent (P = 0.94) in both groups immediately after (IL = -40.6% ± 13.8% vs IK = -42.4% ± 10.2%) to 96 h after the exercise (IL = -21.8% ± 28.5% vs IK = -26.7% ± 23.5%). Neither peak muscle soreness (IL = 48.1 ± 28.2 mm vs IK = 54.7 ± 28.9 mm, P = 0.57) nor creatine kinase activity (IL = 12,811 ± 22,654 U·L vs IK = 15,304 ± 24,739 U·L, P = 0.59) significantly differed between groups. H-reflex (IL = -23% vs IK = -35%) and M-wave (IL = -10% vs IK = -17%) significantly decreased immediately postexercise similarly between groups.

CONCLUSION

The changes in muscle damage and neuromuscular function after the exercise are similar between IL and IK, suggesting that resistance modality has little effects on acute muscle responses.

Cholesterol Screening and Statin Prescription is Low Among HIV-Infected Patients on Protease-Inhibitor Regimens in Botswana

Background:

Little is known about the use of statin for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction among HIV-infected patients on protease inhibitors (PI`s) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Objective:

Cholesterol screening and statin use were retrospectively assessed among HIV-infected participants on PI`s between 2008 and 2012 at a large urban HIV clinic in Botswana.

Methods:

Proportion of participants screened per year was calculated and statin indication was assessed using atherosclerosis CVD (ASCVD) and Framingham risk (FRS) scores as of the year 2012 guidelines.

Results:

Cholesterol screening ranged between 19% and 30% per year (2008-2011) but increased to 80% after study enrollment. The rate of hypercholesterolemia (> 5.0 mmol/L) was 31% in 2012. Fewer than 1% participants were on statin therapy but 14.3% and 9.4% had statins indicated by ASCVD and FRS respectively.

Conclusion:

The high proportion of participants indicated for, but not prescribed statins highlights a substantial gap in the care to reduce CVD risk among these patients.

Photon Statistics of Propagating Thermal Microwaves

In experiments with superconducting quantum circuits, characterizing the photon statistics of propagating microwave fields is a fundamental task. We quantify the n^{2}+n photon number variance of thermal microwave photons emitted from a blackbody radiator for mean photon numbers, 0.05≲n≲1.5. We probe the fields using either correlation measurements or a transmon qubit coupled to a microwave resonator. Our experiments provide a precise quantitative characterization of weak microwave states and information on the noise emitted by a Josephson parametric amplifier.

Stiffness mapping of lower leg muscles during passive dorsiflexion

It is challenging to differentiate the mechanical properties of synergist muscles in vivo. Shear wave elastography can be used to quantify the shear modulus (i.e. an index of stiffness) of a specific muscle. This study assessed the passive behavior of lower leg muscles during passive dorsiflexion performed with the knee fully extended (experiment 1, n = 22) or with the knee flexed at 90° (experiment 2, n = 20). The shear modulus measurements were repeated twice during experiment 1 to assess the inter-day reliability. During both experiments, the shear modulus of the following plantar flexors was randomly measured: gastrocnemii medialis (GM) and lateralis (GL), soleus (SOL), peroneus longus (PL), and the deep muscles flexor digitorum longus (FDL), flexor hallucis longus (FHL), tibialis posterior (TP). Two antagonist muscles tibialis anterior (TA), and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) were also recorded. Measurements were performed in different proximo-distal regions for GM, GL and SOL. Inter-day reliability was adequate for all muscles (coefficient of variation < 15%), except for TP. In experiment 1, GM exhibited the highest shear modulus at 80% of the maximal range of motion (128.5 ± 27.3 kPa) and was followed by GL (67.1 ± 24.1 kPa). In experiment 2, SOL exhibited the highest shear modulus (55.1 ± 18.0 kPa). The highest values of shear modulus were found for the distal locations of both the GM (80% of participants in experiment 1) and the SOL (100% of participants in experiment 2). For both experiments, deep muscles and PL exhibited low levels of stiffness during the stretch in young asymptomatic adults, which was unknown until now. These results provide a deeper understanding of passive mechanical properties and the distribution of stiffness between and within the plantar flexor muscles during stretching between them and thus could be relevant to study the effects of aging, disease progression, and rehabilitation on stiffness.