Modeling the cardiac indices of stress and performance of nuclear power plant operators during simulated fault scenarios

Acute stress can affect cognitive processing and decrease performance in demanding, stressful situations. Here, we recorded the cardiac indices of stress, that is, the heart rate and heart rate variability together with the physical activity of nuclear power plant operators, and examined their association with crew performance, while the operator crews were managing simulated incident and accident situations. Crew performance was evaluated both by the operator instructor and as the time taken to resolve the situation. In total, 64% of the variance in the information-seeking performance (adj-R² = .64, p < .01), and 41% of variation in the performance time (adj-R² = .41, p < .01) were explained by the psychophysiology. The cardiac measures indicated that increased stress was associated with poorer information-seeking performance and longer performance time. Increased physical activity was associated with poorer information seeking only. Otherwise, crew performance was robust, as the diagnosis and corrective actions, use of emergency operations procedures, and collaboration, were only weakly associated with the stress physiology. The association between information-seeking performance and stress might be explained by the larger requirement for cognitive processing at the information-gathering phase of the task. The results of the study show that psychophysiological measurements of stress and activity can provide valuable information on stress and its association with cognitive performance at work.     

Characterization of 17B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoenzyme expression in benign and malignant human prostate

In the present study, expressions of 17B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) types 1, 2 and 3, 5α-reductase type 2 and human androgen receptor mRNAs were determined in 12 benign prostatic hyperplasia and 17 prostatic carcinoma specimens. 17HSD type 2 was found to be the principal isoenzyme expressed in the prostate. Significantly higher expressions of 17HSD type 2 and 5α-reductase type 2 were detected in benign prostatic hyperplasia compared with the carcinoma specimens. Expression of the androgen receptor in the 2 groups was not significantly different. 17HSD type 3 mRNA was not detected in any of the specimens investigated. Only low constitutive expression of the 2.3 kb mRNA of 17HSD type I was seen. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated that this did not lead to significant enzyme expression, only faint staining for the enzyme protein being detected, mainly in uroepithelial cells. No significant correlation was found between any of the mRNAs analyzed, but the data on 5α-reductase type 2 mRNA support the presence of an increased proportion of 5α-dihydrotesterone in the hyperplastic prostate. In cultured PC-3 prostatic cancer cells and in transiently transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells, 17HSD type 2 was found exclusively to convert 5α-dihydrotestosterone and testosterone into the less potent 17-keto compounds 5α-androstanedione and 4-androstenedione, respectively. We suggest that the 17HSD type 2 isoenzyme plays a part in the metabolic pathway, resulting in the inactivation of testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone locally in the prostate. The enzyme expressed in the prostate could, therefore, protect cells from excessive androgen action. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Short ‘1.2× Genome’ Infectious Clone Initiates Kolmiovirid Replication in Boa constrictor Cells

Human hepatitis D virus (HDV) depends on hepatitis B virus co-infection and its glycoproteins for infectious particle formation. HDV was the sole known deltavirus for decades and believed to be a human-only pathogen. However, since 2018, several groups reported finding HDV-like agents from various hosts but without co-infecting hepadnaviruses. In vitro systems enabling helper virus-independent replication are key for studying the newly discovered deltaviruses. Others and we have successfully used constructs containing multimers of the deltavirus genome for the replication of various deltaviruses via transfection in cell culture. Here, we report the establishment of deltavirus infectious clones with 1.2× genome inserts bearing two copies of the genomic and antigenomic ribozymes. We used Swiss snake colony virus 1 as the model to compare the ability of the previously reported “2× genome” and the “1.2× genome” infectious clones to initiate replication in cell culture. Using immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, immuno- and northern blotting, we found the 2× and 1.2× genome clones to similarly initiate deltavirus replication in vitro and both induced a persistent infection of snake cells. The 1.2× genome constructs enable easier introduction of modifications required for studying deltavirus replication and cellular interactions.     

Estimating molar-incisor-hypomineralization among 8-year-olds based on 15-year public oral health practice-based data

Abstract

Background: A wide range in the prevalence of molar-incisor-hypomineralization (MIH) has been reported. Population-based studies are recommended. However, such studies are expensive and time-consuming.

Objectives: To estimate the magnitude of MIH condition among 8-year-olds based on routine oral health examinations and to associate first permanent molar (FPM) affection with that of other permanent teeth over time.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study, with cross-sectional and longitudinal components, was based on electronic oral health records; all 8-year-olds examined between 2002 and 2016 were included.

Results: The average estimated prevalence of MIH was 8.3%; yearly range was 4.8–15.9%. The mean number of affected teeth was 1.4; 62% had one affected tooth. One-surface defects were the most frequent (66%). Asymmetric distribution of affected teeth was observed. In follow-up, 10.7%, 8.4%, and 11.2% had at least one affected permanent canine, premolar, or second permanent molar, respectively. The proportion of children with other MIH-affected permanent teeth was higher in the group with ≥2 MIH-affected teeth than in group with one affected FPM at the age of 8.

Conclusions: The average prevalence of MIH was comparable to that reported elsewhere. The number of MIH-affected teeth at early mixed dentition predicts the affection of other permanent teeth over time, mainly that of permanent canines. Further screening of children with MIH is recommended to improve individually tailored early preventive and restorative dental care.     

Evaluation of pure-tone audiometric protocols in vestibular schwannoma screening

The objective was to evaluate the pure-tone audiogram-based screening protocols in VS diagnostics. We retrospectively analyzed presenting symptoms, pure tone audiometry and MRI finding from 246 VS patients and 442 controls were collected to test screening protocols (AAO-HNS, AMCLASS-A/B, Charing Cross, Cueva, DOH, Nashville, Oxford, Rule3000, Schlauch, Seattle, Sunderland) for sensitivity and specificity. Results were pooled with data from five other studies, and analysis of sensitivity, specificity and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) for each protocol was performed. Our results show that protocols with significantly higher sensitivity (AMCLASS-A/B, Nashville) show also significantly lowest specificity, and tend to have low association (positive likelihood ratio, LR+) to the VS. The highest LR+ was found for protocols AAO-HNS, Rule3000 and Seattle. In conclusions, knowing their properties, screening protocols are simple decision-making tools in VS diagnostic. To use the advantage of the highest sensitivity, protocols AMCLASS-A + B or Nashville can be of choice. For more reasonable approach, applying the protocols with high LR+ (AAO-HNS, Rule3000, Seattle) may reduce the overall number of MRI scans at expense of only few primarily undiagnosed VS.     

Role of angiogenic growth factors in transplant coronary artery disease

Transplant coronary artery disease (TxCAD) as a manifestation of chronic rejection is a major limitation to long‐term survival of heart transplant recipients. Although the exact molecular and cellular mechanisms contributing to neointimal formation are unknown, it has been generally believed that smooth muscle cells (SMC) of donor origin migrate from the media into the subendothelial layer of the vascular wall, where SMC proliferate and synthesize extracellular matrix resulting in intimal thickening. However, recent observations indicate that hematopoietic and vascular progenitor cells derived from recipient bone marrow may contribute to the arteriosclerotic lesion formation in the coronary arteries of the transplant. On the other hand, studies on postnatal hematopoiesis indicate that angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin‐1 (Ang1) may regulate the recruitment of these cells into distant organs. Furthermore, embryonic VEGFR‐2 ⁺ /CD34 ⁺ stem cells may serve as vascular progenitor cells and their differentiation into endothelial cells and SMC may be regulated by VEGF and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF), respectively. In this review, we discuss the role of angiogenic growth factors such as VEGF, Ang, and PDGF in the recruitment of hematopoietic and vascular progenitor cells in TxCAD and suggest novel therapies targeted at homing, differentiation and proliferation of these cells in the allograft.     

Bronchial changes in airborne tularemia

We describe seven typhoidal tularemia patients without ulcers or lymphadenopathy, who underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy. Four patients had had obvious airborne exposure to F. tularensis during farming activities, and the remaining three had respiratory symptoms also. Bronchoscopical findings were pathological in all cases, varying from local to diffuse haemorrhagic inflammation; in one case a granulomatous tumour was seen. Early histopathological changes in three biopsies consisted of haemorrhagic oedema progressing to a non-specific inflammatory reaction, which could still be found 45 days after the onset of symptoms. Granulomatous inflammation, indistinguishable from tuberculosis or sarcoidosis, was seen in four biopsies from two patients, three to seven months after the onset. Most patients had radiographic hilar enlargement. We conclude that transmission of typhoid tularemia usually occurs through inhalation leading to bronchial changes, which correspond skin ulcerations in ulcero-glandular tularemia, the hilar enlargement corresponding to the lymph node component. We emphasize that usage of the term 'typhoidal' tularemia should be discontinued. Instead, tularemia transmitted through inhalation should be called pulmonary or respiratory.