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This study explores the use of mindfulness school-based intervention program in an elementary school. Mindfulness training is an accepted and effective didactic approach to improve the executive functions (EFs) of elementary school students. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Mind Yeti program on the executive functions of elementary school students. A diverse sample of third, fourth, and fifth grade elementary school students (n = 177) participated in their natural classroom setting, with six sessions per week for six weeks. Students self-reported their EFs on the Executive Function Student Questionnaire (EFSQ) pre- and posttest. Paired-sample t-tests indicated that students significantly improved on the three of the six EFs examined. Additionally, students in fifth grade responded better to Mind Yeti than students in third grade. Results were consistent with the hypothesis, suggesting that Mind Yeti is an appropriate and effective intervention for improving the EFs of students.

BACKGROUND Management of recurrence following liver resection for colorectal cancer metastases is a topic of debate. We determined risk factors for survival following recurrence after liver resection. METHODS Long-term follow-up of patients in the PETCAM trial who had recurrence following liver resection. Risk groups were created according to their survival risk. Differences in overall survival (OS) between groups were estimated. Disease-free survival (DFS), patterns of disease recurrence and management were determined. Cox proportional hazard models, Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test were used. RESULTS Among 368 patients who underwent liver resection, 264 (72%) experienced disease recurrence (51% lung and 41% liver). Following liver resection, DFS: 17 months (95% CI, 14-19); OS: 57 months (95% CI, 46-70). In those who recurred, 120 (45%) received chemotherapy only, and 112 (42%) underwent second surgical resection. Among patients who experienced recurrence (n = 264), the high-risk group (more than one site of recurrence or disease-free duration

Uzara glycosides (UG) extracted from Xysmalobium undulatum are used for treating non-specific diarrhea.Cross-reactivity has been described for UG in digitalis glycoside assays but digitalis-like cardiac effects are controversially discussed. Therefore, we performed a randomized, singleblind cross-over study in 18 healthy volunteers receiving a commercially available Uzara product (Uzara® Lösung N, Stada AG, Bad Vilbel, Germany (ULN)), digoxin (1 mg, i.v., positive control) and placebo in double-dummy technique. Pharmacodynamic effects were quantified by means of ECG and impedance cardiography (ICG). After oral administration of ULN, main metabolites were determined using HPLC-MS/MS and digitalis-like serum levels (DLSL) were measured in two digitoxin and digoxin assays, respectively. In comparison to placebo, ULN did not change significantly any PD parameters whereas digoxin altered significantly area under the effect curve of several ECG and ICG parameters, respectively. Since some serum levels of three ULN ingredients (uzarin, uzarigenin and xysmalorin) were below LLQ, PK analyses could only be performed for allouzarigenin and revealed a marked inter-individual variability. Therefore, median values (min; max) were calculated as follows: Cmax = 0.39 (0.15; 1.81) ng/ml, tmax = 7.0 (3.0; 36.0) h, T1/2 = 5.2 (0.8; 23.6) h, AUC0-36h = 4.2 (0.8; 11.1) ng/ml×h, AUC0-∞ = 5.8 (1.8; 13.1) ng/ml×h. DLSL reached Cmax of 28 ng/ml and 1,980 ng/ml for digoxin and digitoxin, respectively. We could not observe significant cardiovascular pharmacodynamic effects after oral administration of the recommended single dose of Uzara extract to healthy volunteers. However, considerable DLSL could be detected, proving cross-reactivity of uzara components with the conventional digitalis assays used. However, none of the metabolites we had suspected to be the cause for the crossreactivity could be identified in reasonable quantities.

3527Background: The PETCAM randomized trial evaluated the effect of preoperative PET-CT (vs. no PET-CT) on surgical management in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases. This trial result...

562 Background: The PETCAM randomized trial evaluated the effect of preoperative PET-CT (vs. no PET-CT) on surgical management in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases. In this study, 8% of patients had a change in surgical management, including a higher proportion of major liver resections in the PET-CT arm. The current study compares the intervention groups for 5-year disease free (DFS) and overall survival (OS), and evaluated their long-term clinical course, i.e. sites of recurrence and management of disease recurrence. Methods: Recruitment to the trial occurred between 2005-2010, with last follow-up in 2013. Data on recurrence, management of recurrence and mortality from 2013-2017 was collected from patient’s charts. Recurrences according to site and management were described. Cox proportional Hazard Models were used to calculate the risk for recurrence and death. OS was calculated with Kaplan-Meir method and compared with log-rank test. Results: At 5 years, 157 of 404 (39%) patients were still alive and 19 patients were lost to follow-up. Median follow-up is 4.2 years. There were no differences in DFS (HR: 1.12, 95%CI: 0.88-1.42) or OS (HR: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.74-1.28) between groups. The median DFS for the 372 patients who had surgery was 17 months, 95%CI: 14.7-19.4. Risks factors for recurrence were: extrahepatic disease, liver tumour size, and nodal stage. The median OS for all patients was 50 months, 95%CI: 43.5-64.3. Risks factors for death also included age and prior use of chemotherapy. During the follow-up period, 287/404, 71% patients recurred (mostly liver and lung); 137 (48%) were treated solely with chemotherapy and 35% were treated with surgery with curative intent. Of these, the majority recurred (109/116, 94%). The median OS following first recurrence was 27.5 months, 95%CI: 23-30. Conclusions: PET-CT did not improve DFS or OS. Survival following liver resection is similar to previous reports, however most patients experience disease recurrence. A substantial proportion of patients who recur undergo surgery, however it is likely that they will recur again.

The tritylated and silylated self-complementary A*[s]U*[s]A*[s]U* and U*[s]A*[s]U*[s]A* tetramers 18 and 24, linked by thiomethylene groups (abbreviated as [s]) between a nucleobase and C(5') of the neighbouring nucleoside unit were prepared by a linear synthesis based on S-alkylation of 5'-thionucleosides by 6-(chloromethyl)uridines, 7 or 10, or 8-(chloromethyl)adenosines, 12 or 15. The tetramers 18 and 24 were detritylated to the monoalcohols 19 and 25, and these were desilylated to the diols 20 and 26, respectively. The association of the tetramers 18-21 and 24-26 in CDCl3 or in CDCl3/(D-6)DMSO 95 :5 was investigated by the concentration dependence of the chemical shifts for H-N(3) or H2N-C(6). The formation of cyclic duplexes connected by four base pairs is favoured by the presence of one and especially of two OH groups. The diol 20 with the AUAU sequence prefers reverse-Hoogsteen, and diol 26 with the UAUA sequence Watson-Crick base pairing. The structure of the cyclic duplex of 26 in CDCl3 at 2 degrees was derived by a combination of AMBER* modeling and simulated annealing with NMR-derived distance and torsion-angle restraints resulting in a Watson-Crick base-paired right-handed antiparallel helix showing large roll angles, especially between the centre base pairs, leading to a bent helix axis.

The A*[s]U(*) dinucleosides 1 and 2 form thermoreversible gels in organic solvents. The basis of the gelation is the formation of linear aggregates by base pairing following desolvation of the nucleobases. This is evidenced by the absence of gel formation by the C(6)-deaminated analogue 3 of 1, the correlation of gelation with the anti-conformation, as preferred for 1, and the temperature-, concentration-, and time-dependent CD spectra. The gels were also characterized by the minimum gelation concentration, the gel–sol transition (melting) temperature, and rheological properties.

The formation of cyclic duplexes (pairing) of known oxymethylene-linked self-complementary U*[o]A(*) dinucleosides contrasts with the absence of pairing of the ethylene-linked U*[ca]A(*) analogues. The origin of this difference, and the expected association of U*[x]A(*) and A*[x]U(*) dinucleosides with x=CH2, O, or S was analysed. According to this analysis, pairing occurs via constitutionally isomeric Watson–Crick, reverse Watson–Crick, Hoogsteen, or reverse Hoogsteen H-bonded linear duplexes. Each one of them may give rise to three diastereoisomeric cyclic duplexes, and each one of them can adopt three main conformations. The relative stability of all conformers with x=CH2, O, or S were analysed. U*[x]A(*) dinucleosides with x=CH2 do not form stable cyclic duplexes, dinucleosides with x=O may form cyclic duplexes with a gg-conformation about the C(4′)C(5′) bond, and dinucleosides with x=S may form cyclic duplexes with a gt-conformation about this bond. The temperature dependence of the chemical shift of HN(3) of the self-complementary, oxymethylene-linked U*[o]A(*) dinucleosides 1–6 in CDCl3 in the concentration range of 0.4–50 mM evidences equilibria between the monoplex, mainly linear duplexes, and higher associates for 3, between the monoplex and cyclic duplexes for 6, and between the monoplex, linear, and cyclic duplexes as well as higher associates for 1, 2, 4, and 5. The self-complementary, thiomethylene-linked U*[s]A(*) dinucleosides 27–32 and the sequence isomeric A*[s]U(*) analogues 33–38 were prepared by S-alkylation of the 6-(mesyloxymethyl)uridine 12 and the 8-(bromomethyl)adenosine 22. The required thiolates were prepared in situ from the C(5′)-acetylthio derivatives 9, 15, 19, and 25. The association in CHCl3 of the thiomethylene-linked dinucleoside analogues was studied by 1H-NMR and CD spectroscopy, and by vapour-pressure osmometric determination of the apparent molecular mass. The U*[s]A(*) alcohols 28, 30, and 31 form cyclic duplexes connected by Watson–Crick H-bonds, while the fully protected dimers 27 and 29 form mainly linear duplexes and higher associates. The diol 32 forms mainly cyclic duplexes in solution and corrugated ribbons in the solid state. The nucleobases of crystalline 32 form reverse Hoogsteen H-bonds, and the resulting ribbons are cross-linked by H-bonds between HOCH2C(8/I) and N(3/I). Among the A*[s]U(*) dimers, only the C(8/I)-hydroxymethylated 37 forms (mainly) a cyclic duplex, characterized by reverse Hoogsteen base pairing. The dimers 34–36 form mainly linear duplexes and higher associates. Dimers 34 and particularly 38 gelate CHCl3. Temperature-dependent CD spectra of 28, 30, 31, and 37 evidence π-stacking in the cyclic duplexes. Base stacking in the particularly strongly associating diol 32 in CHCl3 solution is evidenced by a melting temperature of ca. 2°.

Recombinant antigens from hepatitis E virus (HEV) open-reading frames 2 and 3 were expressed in Escherichia coli as cytidine monophosphate-2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid synthetase (CKS) fusion proteins, purified, and used to develop an EIA for the detection of antibodies. Serologic results were compared with those of previous assays by testing 102 samples from an HEV outbreak in Somalia. This CKS/HEV EIA detected anti-HEV in all 97 sera found reactive previously and in an additional 2 samples, which were shown to be true HEV-positive samples by supplemental peptide and Western blot tests. The CKS/HEV EIA and supplemental assays were then used to determine seroprevalence of HEV worldwide. HEV seroprevalence ranged from 1% to 25%, with higher rates found in Middle Eastern countries. Also, 7%-14% of acute cases of non-A, -B, or -C hepatitis were HEV-positive. Thus, this CKS/HEV EIA appears useful for detecting anti-HEV in various populations.

Recently, acute cases of hepatitis E have been reported in Europe in conjunction with trips to countries to which HEV is endemic. To assess the seropositivity to HEV in Europe and the Middle East, we have started a multicenter study and report the initial findings here. Two recombinant antigens (8-5 and SG3) from the Burmese strain of HEV were used to develop enayme immunoassays (EIA) for the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to HEV. Reactivity was confirmed using recombinant antigens in a Western blot and synthetic peptides in EIAs. The results showed a l%–2% seropositive rate in the European donors. In the Saudi Arabian donors (comprised of several Middle Eastern nationalities) the rate was 9%. The identification of two IgM reactive specimens in the Frankfurt population suggest that it is possible to encounter acute hepatitis E in a blood donor population with subclinical course in Europe.