The subcellular colocalization of prostacyclin synthase (PGIS) with prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) has not been delineated. To test the hypothesis that its colocalization with PGHS is crucial for prostacyclin synthesis, we determined subcellular locations of PGIS, PGHS-1, and PGHS-2 in bovine aortic endothelial cells by immunofluorescent confocal microscopy. PGIS and PGHS-1 were colocalized to nuclear envelope (NE) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in resting and adenovirusinfected bovine aortic endothelial cells. PGIS and PGHS-2 were also colocalized to ER in serum-treated or adenovirus-cyclooxygenase-2-infected cells. By contrast, PGIS was not colocalized with PGHS-2 in cells induced with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate where PGHS-2 was visualized primarily in vesicle-like structures. The lack of colocalization was accompanied by failed prostacyclin production. Resting ECV304 cells did not produce prostacyclin and had no detectable PGHS-1 and PGIS proteins. Confocal analysis showed abnormal colocalization of PGIS and PGHS-1 to a filamentous structure. Interestingly, the abundant PGIS and PGHS-1 expressed in adenovirus-infected ECV304 cells were colocalized to NE and ER, which synthesized a large quantity of prostacyclin. These findings underscore the importance of colocalization of PGHS and PGIS to ER and NE in prostacyclin synthesis.

BackgroundThere are currently no systematic reviews or meta-analyses of Chinese calligraphy therapy (CCT) to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the efficacy of CCT for people with neuropsychiatric symptoms.MethodsWe searched Chinese and English databases, including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Wanfang Data for relevant articles published between the earliest year available and December 2016. The search was limited to randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical studies and the associated keywords were “handwriting,” “Chinese calligraphy,” “Chinese calligraphy therapy,” “Calligraphy exercise,” and “Calligraphy training.” The 21 articles that met these criteria were used in the analysis. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist was used to assess methodological quality.ResultsCCT significantly reduced psychosis (10 studies, 965 subjects, standardized mean difference [SMD] = − 0.17, 95% confidence intervals [CI] [− 0.30, − 0.40], Z = 2.60, p < 0.01), anxiety symptoms (9 studies, 579 subjects, SMD = − 0.78, 95% CI [− 0.95, − 0.61], Z = 8.98, p < 0.001), and depressive symptoms (7 studies, 456 subjects, SMD = − 0.69, 95% CI [− 0.88, − 0.50], Z = 7.11, p < 0.001). CCT also significantly improved cognitive function (2 studies, 55 subjects, MD = 2.17, 95% CI [− 0.03, 4.38], Z = 1.93, p = 0.05) and neurofeedback (3 studies, 148 subjects, SMD = − 1.09, 95% CI [− 1.44, − 0.73], Z = 6.01, p < 0.001). The therapy also significantly reduced the positive psychopathological expression of schizophrenia symptoms (4 studies, 287 subjects, SMD = − 0.35, 95% CI [− 0.59, − 0.12], Z = 2.96, p = 0.003) and reduced the negative symptoms of schizophrenia (4 studies, 276 subjects, SMD = − 1.39, 95% CI [− 1.65, − 1.12], Z = 10.23, p < 0.001).ConclusionsCCT exerts a curative effect on neuropsychiatric symptoms, but the evidence remains insufficient. A large number of RCTs are needed to facilitate additional systematic reviews of evidence for CCT.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12888-018-1611-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundA smartcard is an integrated circuit card that provides identification, authentication, data storage, and application processing. Among other functions, smartcards can serve as credit and ATM cards and can be used to pay various invoices using a ‘reader’. This study looks at the unit cost and activity time of both a traditional cash billing service and a newly introduced smartcard billing service in an outpatient department in a hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.MethodsThe activity time required in using the cash billing service was determined via a time and motion study. A cost analysis was used to compare the unit costs of the two services. A sensitivity analysis was also performed to determine the effect of smartcard use and number of cashier windows on incremental cost and waiting time.ResultsOverall, the smartcard system had a higher unit cost because of the additional service fees and business tax, but it reduced patient waiting time by at least 8 minutes. Thus, it is a convenient service for patients. In addition, if half of all outpatients used smartcards to pay their invoices, along with four cashier windows for cash payments, then the waiting time of cash service users could be reduced by approximately 3 minutes and the incremental cost would be close to breaking even (even though it has a higher overall unit cost that the traditional service).ConclusionsTraditional cash billing services are time consuming and require patients to carry large sums of money. Smartcard services enable patients to pay their bill immediately in the outpatient clinic and offer greater security and convenience. The idle time of nurses could also be reduced as they help to process smartcard payments. A reduction in idle time reduces hospital costs. However, the cost of the smartcard service is higher than the cash service and, as such, hospital administrators must weigh the costs and benefits of introducing a smartcard service. In addition to the obvious benefits of the smartcard service, there is also scope to extend its use in a hospital setting to include the notification of patient arrival and use in other departments.

titles marked with an asterisk were judged for the RACS Prize for the best paper from a Trainee. Titles marked with a double asterisk were judged for the Bard Australia Prize for the best paper from a Trainee in hernia management. GS01HERNIA REPAIR: ARE WE THERE YET? M. Mccallum Newcastle, New South WalesHerniae have been documented since ancient times, but the era of modern hernia treatment is accepted as starting with the surgery of Bassini. Suture repairs of various types then dominated the treatment of hernia until the era of mesh repair championed by Stoppa and Lichtenstein.Surgeons feel that mesh repairs have revolutionized hernia surgery. Have the mesh repairs really made such a difference? There is evidence that all is not as it seems! Published recurrence figures don't seem to withstand close scrutiny.One of the trendy terms in herniology is the "myo-pectineal orifice", while many hernia specialists pay lip service to this concept, very few available hernia operations address this problem.The latest area of interest in the world of hernia surgery is the area of posthernia groin pain, either neuralgic or non-neuralgic. There are studies showing an incidence of chronic groin pain following anterior repairs of 30% or more, and yet these operations are the most common hernia operations in the world! Keith in 1924 first postulated the concept of herniosis and was criticized. However there is a large volume of convincing evidence that herniae are manifestations of a metabolic disorder. They are associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm and possibly with such diverse conditions as diverticular disease, cholelithiasis, and perhaps haemorrhoidal disease.Are we there yet? The answer is certainly no. However research into the metabolic problem of hernia development means that we are surely closer than we have ever been before.Purpose: Inguinal hernia repair is a common operation with much focus in recent times on improving morbidity. The use of mesh repair has greatly decreased reoccurrence rates and focus turns towards improving postoperative groin pain. This review examines the use of UHS in inguinal hernia repair and relation with postoperative groin pain. Methods: A retrospective audit of consecutive cases over one year (telephone and mailed questionnaires) was conducted. The recently validated IPQ (inguinal pain score) was used. A review of files and operative reports was also undertaken. Cases undergoing bilateral repair, or other operations simultaneously were excluded. Results: 59 patients (61%) participated in the audit, with a mean follow up of 11 months (range 5-16). 4 minor wound complications occurred. Higher pain scores appeared to correlate preoperatively with age and workers compensation status. Postoperative pain scores and limitation to functional status were low, and trended towards lower values in the UHS (ultrapro hernia system) repair group compared to the group who underwent repair with PHS (preceding week pain scores respectively -UHS repair, mean 1.22, (95%CI 1.07-1.38); PHS 1.76, (95%CI 1....

The production of useable energy is today a global issue and the search for alternative energy sources is very challenging. Therefore, scientists have' tried hard to identify new alternative energy sources. Fuel cells have potential as an indispensable source of electrical power. However, the mass production of fuel cells encounters various problems, which are yet to be solved, such as determining the fuel flow rate inside fuel cells. The product of the chemical reaction that proceeds in a fuel cell is water, which lowers the working efficiency of the cell and affects the fuel flow rate. No study of the fuel flow rate within a micro fuel cell has yet been published. Hence, in this work, micro flow sensors are fabricated on a flexible substrate as the gas diffusion layer (GDL) using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) within the micro fuel cell. The fundamental concept of the micro flow sensor is the use of two sets of micro temperature sensors plus and a set of heaters. The temperature difference between the two sensors is measured. The heater is also used to increase the working tem perature of the fuel cell when the actual temperature is not favorable. The experimental results show an accuracy and sensitivity of the micro temperature sensor ofO.5°C and 1.31U/oC, respectively.