The dimensionality of schizophrenia concepts in first-episode psychosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of unreamed retrograde intramedullary (IM) nailing of fractures of the femoral shaft in a second series of patients using modifications suggested from our initial study. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: Level I trauma center. METHODS: Based on the findings of a previous study, we began a clinical series incorporating changes consisting of (a) inclusion of any patient with a femoral shaft fracture amenable to IM nailing (i.e., closed physes), (b) primary use of a split patellar tendon intercondylar distal femoral entry portal, and (c) the use of a full-length femoral implant having variable size availability and dynamization capability. Over a twelve-month period, thirty-four patients with thirty-five femoral shaft fractures were treated. The protocol called for planned dynamization in statically locked stable fractures and unstable fractures showing minimal healing at six to twelve weeks. Functional outcome was assessed by using the Knee Society clinical rating system. RESULTS: Incorporating the concepts of canal fill and early dynamization, there were only two nonunions (6 percent) in this series as compared with 14 percent in the previously reported series with an overall shorter time to union (12.6 versus 15 weeks). There were no infections or malunions. Postoperative complaints of knee pain were minimal (knee score average: 98 points) and knee function was excellent (knee score average: 97 points). CONCLUSIONS: Although not advocated as a replacement for other techniques, unreamed retrograde nailing is presented as a safe and beneficial fracture fixation method that should be added to the orthopaedic surgeon's treatment armamentarium. The operative technique is quick and simple, and blood loss is minimal. Early nail dynamization and early weight-bearing are important in minimizing the risk of nonunion.     

Mutations in the EXT1 and EXT2 genes in hereditary multiple exostoses

In an in-vitro preparation of gastric mucosae of Rana pipiens, the effect of adding melittin to a concentration of 5x10-6 M in the secretory solution on the transepithelial potential difference (PD), resistance (R) and short-circuit current (Isc) was studied. In 20 min, melittin decreased the PD by 9.3 mV and R by 148 ohm cm2. These changes can be explained by a decrease in the resistance, RP, of the paracellular pathway. To determine whether specific-ion pathways were responsible for the decrease in R, the effect of melittin on the partial conductances of Cl-, K+ and Na+ was also studied using the ion substitution method. Melittin decreased the PD response to changes in nutrient Na+, K+ and Cl- and the PD response to changes in secretory Cl-, but did not affect PD responses to changes in secretory Na+ or K+. Therefore, melittin decreased the nutrient membrane partial conductances of Cl-, K+ and Na+ and secretory membrane partial conductance of Cl-, without affecting the secretory partial conductances of Na+ or K+. Initially, melittin increased Isc in regular and Cl--free but not in Na+-free solutions. There was a delayed decrease in Isc. The results indicate that melittin decreases RP, increases the Na+ conductance of the secretory membrane and inhibits, eventually, the Na+/K+-ATPase pump.     

Familial transmission of a serious disease--producing group A streptococcus clone: case reports and review

Invasive group A streptococcus (GAS) infections are emerging diseases; however, person-to-person transmission of invasive GAS producing life-threatening infection has been observed rarely. We report a small intrafamilial cluster of life-threatening GAS infections. A previously healthy 47-year-old father developed necrotizing fasciitis of the neck. Two days later, his 16-year-old daughter developed streptococcal angina, pneumonia, and pleural empyema. Both patients had signs of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis revealed that the M6 strains of GAS isolated from the father and daughter had identical patterns. Cases of person-to-person transmission of invasive GAS infection reported in the literature are also reviewed.     

Potential prognostic value of C-erbB-2 expression in medulloblastomas in very young children

PURPOSE: The expression of the c-erbB-2 oncogene was studied in childhood medulloblastoma to evaluate its prognostic value, which has been claimed previously. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumor material from 45 patients < 15 years old at diagnosis was studied using 3 monoclonal antibodies against the internal and external domains of the c-erbB-2 oncogene product. RESULTS: Six of the 45 (13%) tumor specimens were found to be positive. C-erbB-2 expression was found more often in patients < 3 years old at diagnosis (4 of 15 patients, 27%) than in older patients (2 of 30, 6.6%). During the follow-up period (5.8 +/- 2.8 years) all patients with c-erbB-2 expression died of disease (after 1.2 +/- 0.7 years). Kaplan-Meier estimation revealed a highly significant correlation of c-erbB-2 expression and survival (p = 0.002). A further study of the expression of synaptophysin and the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the 45 tumors revealed a negative correlation of the expression of c-erbB-2 and these proteins. CONCLUSION: C-erbB-2, which may be predominantly expressed by less differentiated tumors, was found to delineate a poorer prognostic subgroup, especially when diagnosed in patients < 3 years old.     

我国成功研制机载大气污染探测系统

正中国科学院合肥物质科学研究院安徽光学精密机械研究所成功研制出1种用于机载、可快速获取区域环境大气污染成分的环境大气成分探测系统,并通过了安徽省科技成果转化服务中心组织的科技成果鉴定。该机载环境大气成分探测系统由大气环境激光雷达、差分吸收光谱仪和多角度偏振辐射计及主控管理器等4个子系统组成。研究人员研制出了国内首台探测气溶胶和云的双波长偏振航空遥感激光雷达。     

Energy Metabolites as Biomarkers in Ischemic and Dilated Cardiomyopathy

With more than 25 million people affected, heart failure (HF) is a global threat. As energy production pathways are known to play a pivotal role in HF, we sought here to identify key metabolic changes in ischemic- and non-ischemic HF by using a multi-OMICS approach. Serum metabolites and mRNAseq and epigenetic DNA methylation profiles were analyzed from blood and left ventricular heart biopsy specimens of the same individuals. In total we collected serum from n = 82 patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and n = 51 controls in the screening stage. We identified several metabolites involved in glycolysis and citric acid cycle to be elevated up to 5.7-fold in DCM (p = 1.7 × 10⁻⁶). Interestingly, cardiac mRNA and epigenetic changes of genes encoding rate-limiting enzymes of these pathways could also be found and validated in our second stage of metabolite assessment in n = 52 DCM, n = 39 ischemic HF and n = 57 controls. In conclusion, we identified a new set of metabolomic biomarkers for HF. We were able to identify underlying biological cascades that potentially represent suitable intervention targets.     

Large-area organic photovoltaic module—Fabrication and performance

Here we describe the fabrication of the largest (233 cm² total area) organic photovoltaic (OPV) module (polymer:fullerene) to be certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). OPV solar cells were fabricated at Plextronics by spin coating a blend of poly 3-hexylthiophene-2,5 diyl (P3HT) and [6,6] phenyl C₆₁ butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) on top of our hole transport layer (HTL), Plexcore^® OC. In laboratory-scale devices (0.09 cm²), this system routinely exhibits power conversion efficiencies exceeding 3.7%. This P3HT:PCBM active layer and HTL ink system was used to scale up to the larger area module (15.2 cm×15.2 cm module size, i.e. 233 cm² total area; 108 cm² active area), which was certified by NREL as having 1.1% total area efficiency (3.4% active area efficiency).