Pivotal role for two electron reduction in 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone metabolism and kinetics in vivo that prevents liver redox stress.

2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (CAS-RN 6959-96-3) (DMNQ) and 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (CAS-RN 58-27-5) (MNQ:menadione) are effective one electron redox cycling chemicals in vitro. In addition, in vitro MNQ forms a thioether conjugate with glutathione by nucleophilic attack at the third carbon. In contrast, here we demonstrate that in vivo the major metabolic route is directly to the dihydronaphthoquinone for both DMNQ and MNQ followed by conjugation to mono- and di-glucuronides and sulfate.

Recruitment efforts to reduce adverse impact: targeted recruiting for personality, cognitive ability, and diversity.

Noting the presumed tradeoff between diversity and performance goals in contemporary selection practice, the authors elaborate on recruiting-based methods for avoiding adverse impact while maintaining aggregate individual productivity. To extend earlier work on the primacy of applicant pool characteristics for resolving adverse impact, they illustrate the advantages of simultaneous cognitive ability- and personality-based recruiting. Results of an algebraic recruiting model support general recruiting for cognitive ability, combined with recruiting for conscientiousness within the underrepresented group.

Blood stage malaria vaccine eliciting high antigen-specific antibody concentrations confers no protection to young children in Western Kenya.

Objective: The antigen, falciparum malaria protein 1 (FMP1), represents the 42-kDa C-terminal fragment of merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) of the 3D7 clone of P. falciparum. Formulated with AS02 (a proprietary Adjuvant System), it constitutes the FMP1/AS02 candidate malaria vaccine.

Right aortic arch with anomalous left subclavian artery and left-sided patent ductus arteriosus (vascular ring) in an extremely low-birth-weight infant.

We present three-dimensional reconstructed images of the vascular ring of a 4-day-old extremely premature neonate which were obtained utilizing multidetector computer tomography. This is a unique case of early detection of Kommerell's diverticulum and vascular ring in an extremely low-birth-weight infant using this noninvasive technology.

Buckysomes: fullerene-based nanocarriers for hydrophobic molecule delivery.

We report the preparation and preliminary in vitro studies of nanocarriers termed "buckysomes," which are self-assembled, spherical nanostructures composed of the amphiphilic fullerene AF-1. By inducing AF-1 self-assembly at an elevated temperature of 70 degrees C, dense spherical buckysomes with diameters of 100-200 nm were formed, as observed by electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The amphiphilic nature of AF-1 results in the formation of many hydrophobic regions within the buckysomes, making them ideal for embedding hydrophobic molecules to be tested in a drug delivery scheme.

Structures of silicon cluster cations in the gas phase.

We present gas-phase infrared spectra for small silicon cluster cations possessing between 6 and 21 atoms. Infrared multiple photon dissociation (IR-MPD) of these clusters complexed with a xenon atom is employed to obtain their vibrational spectra. These vibrational spectra give for the first time experimental data capable of distinguishing the exact internal structures of the silicon cluster cations.

The neuroprotective action of the mood stabilizing drugs lithium chloride and sodium valproate is mediated through the up-regulation of the homeodomain protein Six1.

The mood stabilizing agents lithium chloride (LiCl) and sodium valproate (VPA) have recently gained interest as potential neuroprotective therapeutics. However, exploitation of these therapeutic applications is hindered by both a lack of molecular understanding of the mode of action, and a number of sub-optimal properties, including a relatively small therapeutic window and variable patient response. Human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) were exposed to 1 mM lithium chloride or 1 mM sodium valproate for 6 h or 72 h, and transcriptomes measured by Affymetrix U133A/B microarray.

Management of penetrating neck injury in the emergency department: a structured literature review.

Objective: The management of patients with penetrating neck injuries in the prehospital setting and in the emergency department has evolved with regard to the necessity for spinal immobilisation and the use of multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) imaging. Questions also arise as to choices of securing a threatened or compromised airway. A structured review of the medical literature was conducted to provide current recommendations for the management of patients with penetrating neck injury.

Antifungal suscepitibility profile of candida spp. oral isolates obtained from denture wearers.

Denture stomatitis is an inflammatory condition that occurs in denture wearers and is frequently associated with Candida yeasts. Antifungal susceptibility profiles have been extensively evaluated for candidiasis patients or immunosupressed individuals, but not for healthy Candida carriers. In the present study, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, terbinafine and 5-flucytosin were tested against 109 oral Candida spp.

Catheters: instrumental advancements in biomedical applications of optical fibers.

This review is focused on the advancements in biomedical engineering regarding the elaboration of new prototypes of optical fiber catheters to be applied in spectroscopic analysis, such as Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our group has contributed to the development of new prototypes with interesting properties, such as side-viewing signal excitation and collection, distal tip with bending control, and Raman scattering minimization from the optical fiber. In addition, several groups have contributed to other new catheter-improving properties of this spectroscopic device.

Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy in a 17-year-old male with a pheochromocytoma.

We report a case of a 17-year-old adolescent male with Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy in the setting of pheochromocytoma who presented with hematemesis, hypertension, and pallor. Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy is rarely reported in the pediatric population, and this is the first report in the pediatric literature of Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy associated with both pheochromocytoma and an elongated course of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Structures of neutral Au7, Au19, and Au20 clusters in the gas phase.

The catalytic properties of gold nanoparticles are determined by their electronic and geometric structures. We revealed the geometries of several small neutral gold clusters in the gas phase by using vibrational spectroscopy between 47 and 220 wavenumbers. A two-dimensional structure for neutral Au7 and a pyramidal structure for neutral Au20 can be unambiguously assigned.

Protection induced by Plasmodium falciparum MSP1(42) is strain-specific, antigen and adjuvant dependent, and correlates with antibody responses.

Vaccination with Plasmodium falciparum MSP1(42)/complete Freund's adjuvant (FA) followed by MSP1(42)/incomplete FA is the only known regimen that protects Aotus nancymaae monkeys against infection by erythrocytic stage malaria parasites. The role of adjuvant is not defined; however complete FA cannot be used in humans. In rodent models, immunity is strain-specific.

Reactions of actinide metal atoms with ethane: computation and observation of new Th and U ethylidene dihydride, metallacyclopropane dihydride, and vinyl metal trihydride complexes.

A combined computational and experimental investigation provides evidence that excited thorium and uranium atoms activate ethane to form the vinyl metal trihydride, metallacyclopropane dihydride, and ethylidene metal dihydride for thorium and the latter complex and the inserted ethyl metal hydride for uranium. These products are trapped in solid argon and identified through deuterium isotopic substitution and vibrational frequencies calculated by density functional theory. Comparisons are made with group 4 and methane reaction products.

In vivo assessment of mitochondrial toxicity.

Drug effects on mitochondrial function are frequently characterized in vitro. Whether these findings are relevant pharmacologically or toxicologically is generally unclear. Methods for in vivo assessment of mitochondrial function would help establish biological significance, but none is widely accepted or readily available.

Improving patient safety in intensive care units in Michigan.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the design and lessons learned from implementing a large-scale patient safety collaborative and the impact of an intervention on teamwork climate in intensive care units (ICUs) across the state of Michigan.

Materials And Methods: This study used a collaborative model for improvement involving researchers from the Johns Hopkins University and Michigan Health and Hospital Association. A quality improvement team in each ICU collected and submitted baseline data and implemented quality improvement interventions.

Ferric species of the giant extracellular hemoglobin of Glossoscolex paulistus as function of pH: an EPR study on the irreversibility of the heme transitions.

The present article is focused on the transitions of ferric heme species of the giant extracellular hemoglobin of Glossoscolex paulistus (HbGp) induced by successive alterations in pH, involving alkaline and acid mediums. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is the spectroscopy used to evaluate the transitions that occur in the first coordination sphere of ferric ion as a consequence of ligand changes in a wide range of pH, since this tool is very sensitive to slight changes that occur in the heme pocket of paramagnetic species. This approach is adequate to obtain information regarding the reversibility/irreversibility that involves the heme transitions induced by pH, since the degree of reversibility is associated to the intensity of the changes that occur in the spatial configuration of the polypeptide chains, which is clearly associated to the first coordination sphere.

Heterologous protein expression is enhanced by harmonizing the codon usage frequencies of the target gene with those of the expression host.

Synonymous codon replacement can change protein structure and function, indicating that protein structure depends on DNA sequence. During heterologous protein expression, low expression or formation of insoluble aggregates may be attributable to differences in synonymous codon usage between expression and natural hosts. This discordance may be particularly important during translation of the domain boundaries (link/end segments) that separate elements of higher ordered structure.

Correlation between CLSI, EUCAST and Etest methodologies for amphotericin B and fluconazole antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida spp. clinical isolates.

This study analyzed the correlation between the results obtained through two microdilution methods: Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) (M27-A2) and European Committee on Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) (document E. Dis. 7.

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) decreases pulmonary microvascular leakage, neutrophil influx and IL-1beta levels in airway and lung from rat subjected to LPS-induced inflammation.

Background And Objective: Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is a known anti-inflammatory therapy. Herein we studied the effect of LLLT on lung permeability and the IL-1beta level in LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation. STUDY DESIGN/METHODOLOGY: Rats were divided into 12 groups (n = 7 for each group).

Home warmth and health status of COPD patients.

Background: Home Energy Efficiency guidelines recommend domestic indoor temperatures of 21 degrees C for at least 9 h per day in living areas. Is health status of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) associated with maintaining this level of warmth in their homes?

Methods: In a cross-sectional observational study of patients, living in their own homes, living room (LR) and bedroom (BR) temperatures were measured at 30 min intervals over 1 week using electronic dataloggers. Health status was measured with the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and EuroQol: EQ VAS.

Comparison between E-test and CLSI broth microdilution method for antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida albicans oral isolates.

Thirty Candida albicans isolated from oral candidosis patients and 30 C. albicans isolated from control individuals were studied. In vitro susceptibility tests were performed for amphotericin B, fluconazole, 5-flucytosine and itraconazole through the Clinical and Laboratorial Standards Institute (CLSI) reference method and E test system.

Infrared spectra and electronic structures of agostic uranium methylidene molecules.

Through reactions of laser-ablated uranium atoms with methylene halides CH2XY (XY = F2, FCl, and Cl2), a series of new actinide methylidene molecules CH2UF2, CH2UFCl, and CH2UCl2 are formed as the major products. The identification of these complexes has been accomplished via matrix infrared spectra, isotopic substitution, and relativistic density functional calculations of the vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities. Density functional calculations using the generalized gradient approach (PW91) show that these CH2UXY methylidene complexes prefer highly distorted agostic structures rather than the ethylene-like symmetric structures.

Formation of unprecedented actinide triple bond carbon in uranium methylidyne molecules.

Chemistry of the actinide elements represents a challenging yet vital scientific frontier. Development of actinide chemistry requires fundamental understanding of the relative roles of actinide valence-region orbitals and the nature of their chemical bonding. We report here an experimental and theoretical investigation of the uranium methylidyne molecules X(3)U CH (X = F, Cl, Br), F(2)ClU CH, and F(3)U CF formed through reactions of laser-ablated uranium atoms and trihalomethanes or carbon tetrafluoride in excess argon.

Manager personality, manager service quality orientation, and service climate: test of a model.

This article conceptually and empirically explores the relationships among manager personality, manager service quality orientation, and climate for customer service. Data were collected from 1,486 employees and 145 managers in grocery store departments (N = 145) to test the authors' theoretical model. Largely consistent with hypotheses, results revealed that core self-evaluations were positively related to managers' service quality orientation, even after dimensions of the Big Five model of personality were controlled, and that service quality orientation fully mediated the relationship between personality and global service climate.