bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of spray drift of glyphosate on nontarget terrestrial plants—A critical review
Authors: Cederlund Harald
Published: July 2017

Glyphosate is a widely used broad-spectrum postemergent herbicide used for weed control in both agricultural and nonagricultural settings. Spray drift of glyphosate can pose a risk to nontarget terrestrial plants and plant communities outside the intended area of application, but the lack of a well-established predicted-no-effect drift rate makes properly assessing such risk difficult. For this reason, a literature review and meta-analysis was carried out with the aim to determine the level of drift that is likely to cause harm to plants and to explore what spray-reducing targets would be sufficiently protective. No-observed–adverse effect rates, lowest-observed–adverse effect rates, and effect rates giving 10, 25, and 50% effects were extracted from a total of 39 different publications. The data were combined per species, and species sensitivity distributions were constructed and fitted with a log-logistic model to assess protectiveness. No systematic differences were detected between the responses of monocotyledons or dicotyledons, but wild plants were found to be generally less sensitive to glyphosate drift than domesticated plants. The results indicate that restricting spray drift to a level below 5 g a.e./ha would protect approximately 95% of all higher plant species against minor adverse effects of glyphosate drift and that rates below 1 to 2 g a.e./ha would be almost completely protective. No studies were encountered that evaluated effects of spray drift against nonvascular plants, and therefore, the conclusions are only valid for vascular plants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2879–2886. © 2017 SETAC
Heterogeneous gene duplications can be adaptive because they permanently associate overdominant alleles
Authors: Milesi Pascal , Weill Mylène , Lenormand Thomas , Labbé Pierrick
Published: July 2017

Gene duplications are widespread in genomes, but their role in contemporary adaptation is not fully understood. Although mostly deleterious, homogeneous duplications that associate identical repeats of a locus often increase the quantity of protein produced, which can be selected in certain environments. However, another type exists: heterogeneous gene duplications, which permanently associate two (or more) alleles of a single locus on the same chromosome. They are far less studied, as only few examples of contemporary heterogeneous duplications are known. Haldane proposed in 1954 that they could be adaptive in situations of heterozygote advantage, or overdominance, but this hypothesis was never tested. To assess its validity, we took advantage of the well-known model of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. We used experimental evolution to estimate the fitnesses associated with homozygous and heterozygous genotypes in different selection regimes. It first showed that balanced antagonist selective pressures frequently induce overdominance, generating stable polymorphic equilibriums. The frequency of equilibrium moreover depends on the magnitude of two antagonistic selective pressures, the survival advantage conferred by the resistant allele versus the selective costs it induces. We then showed that heterogeneous duplications are selected over single-copy alleles in such contexts. They allow the fixation of the heterozygote phenotype, providing an alternative and stable intermediate fitness trade-off. By allowing the rapid fixation of divergent alleles, this immediate advantage could contribute to the rarity of overdominance. More importantly, it also creates new material for long-term genetic innovation, making a crucial but underestimated contribution to the evolution of new genes and gene families.
Solar Photovoltaic and Wind Energy Providing Water
Authors: Jones Lawrence E. , Olsson Gustaf
Published: July 2017

Renewable energy technologies can make a major contribution to universal access to both energy and water in a sustainable way. In many regions of the world with energy poverty there are abundant renewable energy sources. In this review it is described how solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy have a huge potential to supply clean water, in particular in areas with no grid connection. Off‐grid technologies can form a significant part of the solution, all the way from household level to village or community level. Small scale off‐grid systems can provide not only lighting but also energy for pumping to gain access to water and to purify and re‐use water. In rapidly growing peri‐urban areas electric power grids may be available but need to be complemented with decentralized energy sources. Solar and wind can be part of a new kind of hybrid energy supplies. It is noted that there is a confluence of factors, such as greater urbanization, population increase, economic development that will determine the energy mix. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of clean water and energy for all are strongly related and will depend to a large extent on solar PV and wind.
A re‐examination of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) cutoff scores
Authors: Carson Nicole , Leach Larry , Murphy Kelly J.
Published: July 2017

Objective

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; Nasreddine et al., 2005) is a cognitive screening tool that aims to differentiate healthy cognitive aging from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Several validation studies have been conducted on the MoCA, in a variety of clinical populations. Some studies have indicated that the originally suggested cutoff score of 26/30 leads to an inflated rate of false positives, particularly for those of older age and/or lower education. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the MoCA for differentiating healthy cognitive aging from possible MCI.

Methods

Of the 304 studies identified, nine met inclusion criteria for the meta‐analysis. These studies were assessed across a range of cutoff scores to determine the respective sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive accuracies, likelihood ratios for positive and negative results, classification accuracies, and Youden indices.

Results

Meta‐analysis revealed a cutoff score of 23/30 yielded the best diagnostic accuracy across a range of parameters.

Conclusions

A MoCA cutoff score of 23, rather than the initially recommended score of 26, lowers the false positive rate and shows overall better diagnostic accuracy. We recommend the use of this cutoff score going forward. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mental steps: Differential activation of internal pacemakers in motor imagery and in mental imitation of gait
Authors: Sacheli Lucia Maria , Zapparoli Laura , De Santis Carlo , Preti Matteo , Pelosi Catia , Ursino Nicola , Zerbi Alberto , Banfi Giuseppe , Paulesu Eraldo
Published: July 2017

Gait imagery and gait observation can boost the recovery of locomotion dysfunctions; yet, a neurologically justified rationale for their clinical application is lacking as much as a direct comparison of their neural correlates. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we measured the neural correlates of explicit motor imagery of gait during observation of in‐motion videos shot in a park with a steady cam (Virtual Walking task). In a 2 × 2 factorial design, we assessed the modulatory effect of gait observation and of foot movement execution on the neural correlates of the Virtual Walking task: in half of the trials, the participants were asked to mentally imitate a human model shown while walking along the same route (mental imitation condition); moreover, for half of all the trials, the participants also performed rhythmic ankle dorsiflexion as a proxy for stepping movements. We found that, beyond the areas associated with the execution of lower limb movements (the paracentral lobule, the supplementary motor area, and the cerebellum), gait imagery also recruited dorsal premotor and posterior parietal areas known to contribute to the adaptation of walking patterns to environmental cues. When compared with mental imitation, motor imagery recruited a more extensive network, including a brainstem area compatible with the human mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR). Reduced activation of the MLR in mental imitation indicates that this more visually guided task poses less demand on subcortical structures crucial for internally generated gait patterns. This finding may explain why patients with subcortical degeneration benefit from rehabilitation protocols based on gait observation. Hum Brain Mapp 38:5195–5216, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) checkpoint blockade in combination with a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor restrains hepatocellular carcinoma growth induced by hepatoma cell–intrinsic PD‐1
Authors: Li Hui , Li Xiaoqiang , Liu Shuang , Guo Lei , Zhang Bo , Zhang Jubo , Ye Qinghai
Published: July 2017

Inhibitors of programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1) administered as single agents have resulted in durable tumor regression in advanced cancer patients. However, only a minority of cancer patients respond to anti‐PD‐1 immunotherapy. Here, we show that PD‐1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma promotes tumor growth independently of adaptive immunity. Knockdown of PD‐1 suppresses tumor growth, whereas PD‐1 overexpression enhances tumorigenesis in immunodeficient xenografted mice. Mechanistically, PD‐1 binds the downstream mammalian target of rapamycin effectors eukaryotic initiation factor 4E and ribosomal protein S6, thus promoting their phosphorylation. Moreover, combining mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition with anti‐PD‐1 antibody treatment results in more durable and synergistic tumor regression than either single agent alone, each of which presents only modest efficacy. Conclusion: Targeting mammalian target of rapamycin pathways in combination with PD‐1 may result in increased antitumor efficacy in cancer patients. (Hepatology 2017;66:1920–1933)
Vulvar cancer in high‐income countries: Increasing burden of disease
Authors: Kang Yoon‐Jung , Smith Megan , Barlow Ellen , Coffey Kate , Hacker Neville , Canfell Karen
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to assess trends in the age‐specific incidence of vulvar cancer in 13 high‐income countries satisfying a priori conditions regarding the availability of cancer registry data over a 20‐year period; these were Canada, the United States, nine European countries, Australia and Japan. Five‐yearly incidence and population at risk were obtained from the International Agency for Research on Cancer's Cancer Incidence in Five Continents for the years 1988–1992 (Volume 7) to 2003–2007 (Volume 10). The 5‐yearly average percent change (AvPC) over the period and standardised rate ratios (SRRs) for 2003–2007 versus 1988–1992 were used to assess changes in the age‐standardised incidence rates of vulvar cancer for all ages, and for <60 years and 60+ years. During the study period, the 5‐yearly AvPC across the 13 countries increased by 4.6% (p = 0.005) in women of all ages, and 11.6% (p = 0.02) in those <60 years. No change was observed in women aged 60+ years (5‐yearly AvPC = 0.1%, p = 0.94). The SRR for 2003–2007 versus 1988–1992 was significantly elevated in women <60 years of age (SRR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.30–1.46), but not in women of 60+ years (SRR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.97–1.05). The increase in incidence in women <60 years of age drove a significant increase in the overall SRR in women of all ages (SRR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.11–1.18). Some differences in the specific findings at the individual country level were observed. The findings are consistent with changing sexual behaviours and increasing levels of exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV) in cohorts born around/after about 1950, but younger cohorts offered HPV vaccination are likely to receive some protection against developing vulvar cancer in the future.
Introducing the World Health Organization Postpartum Family Planning Compendium
Authors: Sonalkar Sarita , Gaffield Mary E.
Published: July 2017

The postpartum period offers multiple opportunities for healthcare providers to assist with family planning decision making. However, there are also many changing factors during the first year after delivery that can affect family planning choices. Given that several different documents have addressed WHO guidance on postpartum family planning, the electronic WHO Postpartum Family Planning Compendium (http://srhr.org/postpartumfp) has been introduced. This resource integrates essential guidance on postpartum family planning for clinicians, program managers, and policy makers. The development of the Compendium included consultations with family planning experts, key international stakeholders, and web developers. Once the website had been created, user testing by family planning experts allowed for improvements to be made before the official launch. Future directions are adaptation of the website into a mobile application that can be more easily integrated to low‐resource settings, and translation of the content into French and Spanish.
Factors influencing HPV vaccine delivery by healthcare professionals at public health posts in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Figueroa‐Downing Daniella , Baggio Maria Luiza , Baker Misha L. , Dias De Oliveira Chiang Ellen , Villa Luisa L. , Eluf Neto Jose , Evans Dabney P. , Bednarczyk Robert A.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To assess the association between Brazilian healthcare providers' characteristics and their knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding the HPV vaccine.

Methods

An observational cross‐sectional study was conducted at five public health posts in São Paulo between July 28 and August 8, 2014. Healthcare professionals directly involved in patient care were asked to complete a written survey. Factors associated with routine verification of HPV vaccination status were evaluated using Poisson regression.

Results

Among 200 participants included, 74 (38.5%) reported never and 70 (36.5%) reported always asking about HPV immunization status. Doctors were significantly less likely to report always asking than were community health agents (5/39 [12.8%] vs 32/60 [53.3%]; adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 0.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07–0.91]). Knowledge about the correct dosing schedule was associated with always rather than never verifying vaccination status (aPR 2.46 [95% CI 1.06–5.70]).

Conclusion

Knowledge and attitude played secondary roles in influencing HPV vaccine verification. Community health agents were crucial for vaccine promotion; continued education and support of this group is essential for the sustained success of HPV immunization efforts in Brazil.
Association between previous spontaneous abortion and pre‐eclampsia during a subsequent pregnancy
Authors: Sepidarkish Mahdi , Almasi‐Hashiani Amir , Maroufizadeh Saman , Vesali Samira , Pirjani Reihaneh , Samani Reza O.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To determine the impact of a history of spontaneous abortion on pre‐eclampsia during a subsequent pregnancy.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study enrolled pregnant women admitted to obstetrics and gynecology wards at 103 hospitals in Tehran, Iran for delivery between July 6 and July 21, 2015. Consenting participants were interviewed by midwives; data were collected using a five‐part questionnaire and patients' medical records were retrieved. Patient data were analyzed by multiple logistic regression to identify variables associated with increased odds of pre‐eclampsia.

Results

In total, 5170 patients were interviewed and 252 had experienced pre‐eclampsia. The number of previous spontaneous abortions was found to be associated with pre‐eclampsia, and a higher number of previous spontaneous abortions was associated with increased odds of patients having experienced pre‐eclampsia (adjusted odds ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.59; P=0.025).

Conclusion

A history of spontaneous abortion was associated with increased odds of pre‐eclampsia during a subsequent pregnancy.
Predictive value of serum HE4 and CA125 concentrations for lymphatic metastasis of endometrial cancer
Authors: Wang Yingmei , Han Cha , Teng Fei , Bai Zhaoyi , Tian Wenyan , Xue Fengxia
Published: July 2017

Objective

To evaluate the predictive value of serum HE4 and CA125 concentrations in the preoperative prediction of risk of lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer.

Methods

A retrospective study was undertaken of data for patients with endometrial carcinoma treated surgically at a university hospital in China between August 2011 and December 2015. The preoperative serum levels of HE4 and CA125 were measured and analyzed by clinicopathologic characteristics.

Results

Overall, 258 patients were included. The HE4 and CA125 concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with large lesions (≥2 cm), deep myometrial invasion (≥50%), an advanced disease stage, or lymph node metastasis (P<0.05 for all). HE4 concentrations also rose with age and histologic grade (P<0.01 for both). For lymph node metastasis, HE4 had higher sensitivity and negative predictive value than did CA125. The diagnostic performance of HE4 and CA125 in combination was superior to that of either marker alone.

Conclusion

The combined evaluation of serum HE4 and CA125 could provide gynecologic oncologists with improved information to guide the decision of whether to perform lymphadenectomy.
Organizing an international‐standard obstetric ultrasonography training program in a low‐resource setting
Authors: Enabudoso Ehigha , Adams Osikhueme H.
Published: July 2017

A short, intensive training course in obstetric ultrasonography was organized in a low‐resource setting. Participant self‐assessment scores demonstrated the success of the course.
Controlling the near‐infrared transparency of costal cartilage by impregnation with clearing agents and magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: Alexandrovskaya Yulia , Sadovnikov Kirill , Sharov Andrey , Sherstneva Anna , Evtushenko Evgeniy , Omelchenko Alexander , Obrezkova Mariya , Tuchin Valery , Lunin Valery , Sobol Emil
Published: July 2017

Penetration depth of near‐infrared laser radiation to costal cartilage is controlled by the tissue absorption and scattering, and it is the critical parameter to provide the relaxation of mechanical stress throughout the whole thickness of cartilage implant. To enhance the penetration for the laser radiation on 1.56 μm, the optical clearing solutions of glycerol and fructose of various concentrations are tested. The effective and reversible tissue clearance was achieved. However, the increasing absorption of radiation should be concerned: 5°C‐8°C increase of tissue temperature was detected. Laser parameters used for stress relaxation in cartilage should be optimized when applying optical clearing agents. To concentrate the absorption in the superficial tissue layers, magnetite nanoparticle (NP) dispersions with the mean size 95 ± 5 nm and concentration 3.9 ± 1.1 × 1011 particles/mL are applied. The significant increase in the tissue heating rate was observed along with the decrease in its transparency. Using NPs the respective laser power can be decreased, allowing us to obtain the working temperature locally with reduced thermal effect on the surrounding tissue.
Hypophosphatasia in Adults: Clinical Assessment and Treatment Considerations
Authors: Shapiro Jay R , Lewiecki E Michael
Published: July 2017

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inherited disorder of bone affecting approximately 500 to 600 known individuals in the United States. HPP is the result of mutations involving the gene for tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase. Five clinical types of HPP are recognized. The clinical presentation of HPP varies from devastating prenatal intrauterine disease to mild manifestations in adulthood. In adults, main clinical involvement includes early loss of primary or secondary teeth, osteoporosis, bone pain, chondrocalcinosis, and fractures. Treatment for HPP is limited. Asfotase alfa is a subcutaneously administered synthetic human alkaline phosphatase that is approved for treatment of patients, including adults, with perinatal/infantile- and juvenile-onset HPP. However, guidelines for the treatment of adults with HPP are not available. This discussion addresses diagnostic and treatment considerations for adults with HPP. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Curcumin converts Foxp3+ regulatory T cells to T helper 1 cells in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Zou Jian Y. , Su Chun H. , Luo Hong H. , Lei Yi Y. , Zeng Bo , Zhu Hao S. , Chen Zhen G.
Published: July 2017

The regulatory T cells (Treg) play an important role in the tumor tolerance. The methods to regulate the Treg population in cancer‐bearing hosts are limited currently. The effect of curcumin on inhibiting cancer has been recognized, but the mechanism remains elusive. This study tests a hypothesis that administration of curcumin down regulates Tregs in lung cancer (LC) patients. In this study, a group of LC patients was treated with curcumin. The peripheral Tregs and T helper (Th) 1 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mechanism by which curcumin regulated the Tregs was observed by cell culture approaches. The results showed that the frequency of peripheral Treg was markedly higher in LC patients than that in healthy subjects, which was suppressed after treating with curcumin for 2 weeks. The peripheral Th1 cells were increased in LC patients after the curcumin therapy. The data of the in vitro experiments showed that curcumin converted the LC patient‐isolated Tregs to Th1 cells via repressing the gene transcription of forkhead protein‐3 and increasing the expression of interferon‐γ. In conclusion, curcumin can convert LC patient‐isolated Tregs to Th1 cells. The results suggest that curcumin may improve the antitumor immunity by regulating the tumor specific immune tolerance.
A technological and regulatory outlook on CRISPR crop editing
Authors: Globus Rea , Qimron Udi
Published: July 2017

Generating plants with increased yields while maintaining low production and maintenance costs is highly important since plants are the major food source for humans and animals, as well as important producers of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and fuels. Gene editing approaches, particularly the CRISPR‐Cas system, are the preferred methods for improving crops, enabling quick, robust, and accurate gene manipulation. Nevertheless, new breeds of genetically modified crops have initiated substantial debates concerning their biosafety, commercial use, and regulation. Here, we discuss the challenges facing genetic engineering of crops by CRISPR‐cas, and highlight the pros and cons of using this tool.
Retracted: Knockdown of long non‐coding RNA MEG3 protects H9c2 cells from hypoxia‐induced injury by targeting microRNA‐183
Authors: Gong Licheng , Xu Haiming , Chang Hong , Tong Yaliang , Zhang Tao , Guo Gongliang
Published: July 2017

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurs when blood supply to the heart is diminished (ischemia) for long time, and ischemia is primarily caused due to hypoxia. This study evaluated the effects of long non‐coding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) on hypoxic rat cardiomyocyte‐drived H9c2 cells. Hypoxic injury was confirmed by alterations of cell viability, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) expression. MEG3 level in hypoxic cells and effects of its knockdown on hypoxic cells were assessed. The interactions between MEG3 and miR‐183 as well as miR‐183 and p27 were investigated. In addition, the effects of aberrantly expressed MEG3, miR‐183, and p27 on hypoxic cells along with the activation of PI3K/AKT/FOXO3a signaling pathway were all assessed. Results showed that hypoxia induced decreases of cell viability, migration and invasion, and increases of apoptosis and expressions of HIF‐1α and MEG3. Knockdown of MEG3 decreased hypoxia‐induced injury in H9c2 cells. Knockdown of MEG3 also increased miR‐183 expression, which was identified as a target of MEG3. The effects of MEG3 knockdown on the hypoxic cells were reversed by miR‐183 silence. p27 was identified as a target gene of miR‐183, and its expression negatively regulated by miR‐183. The mechanistic studies revealed that knockdown of p27 decreased hypoxia‐induced H9c2 cell injury by activating PI3K/AKT/FOXO3a signal pathways. These findings suggest that knockdown of MEG3 alleviates hypoxia‐induced H9c2 cell injury by miR‐183‐mediated suppression of p27 through activation of PI3K/AKT/FOXO3a signaling pathway.
Neferine modulates IGF‐1R/Nrf2 signaling in doxorubicin treated H9c2 cardiomyoblasts
Authors: Bharathi Priya Lohanathan , Baskaran Rathinasamy , Huang Chih‐Yang , Vijaya Padma Viswanadha
Published: July 2017

Doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity is a major problem during chemotherapy of cancers. DOX‐mediated suppression of type 1 IGF receptor (IGF‐1R) signaling leads to cardiac dysfunction. Neferine, a bisbezylisoquinoline alkaloid from the seed embryos of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn possesses a distinct range of pharmacological properties. Herewith, the present study attempts to elucidate the protective role of neferine against DOX induced toxicity in H9c2 rat cardiomyoblast cell line model. DOX‐treated H9c2 cells significantly increased mitochondrial superoxide generation, depleted cellular antioxidant status, suppressed the activation of IGF‐1R signaling via PI3K/Akt/mTOR and induced autophagy by the activation of ULK1, Beclin1, Atg7, and LC3B. Neferine pre‐treatment activated IGF‐1R signaling, improved cellular antioxidant pool, increased the expression of down‐stream targets of IGF‐1R, such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR, inhibited mitochondrial superoxide generation and autophagy significantly with the induction of Nrf2 translocation and expressions of HO1 and SOD1. Our study suggests the use of neferine for amelioration of DOX‐mediated cardiotoxicity.
TNF‐α‐induced NF‐κB activation promotes myofibroblast differentiation of LR‐MSCs and exacerbates bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Hou Jiwei , Ma Tan , Cao Honghui , Chen Yabing , Wang Cong , Chen Xiang , Xiang Zou , Han Xiaodong
Published: July 2017

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible lung disease of unknown cause. It has been reported that both lung resident mesenchymal stem cells (LR‐MSCs) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) play important roles in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. However, the underlying connections between LR‐MSCs and TNF‐α in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis are still elusive. In this study, we found that the pro‐inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α and the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) p65 subunit were both upregulated in bleomycin‐induced fibrotic lung tissue. In addition, we discovered that TNF‐α promotes myofibroblast differentiation of LR‐MSCs through activating NF‐κB signaling. Interestingly, we also found that TNF‐α promotes the expression of β‐catenin. Moreover, we demonstrated that suppression of the NF‐κB signaling could attenuate myofibroblast differentiation of LR‐MSCs and bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis which were accompanied with decreased expression of β‐catenin. Our data implicates that inhibition of the NF‐κB signaling pathway may provide a therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that warrants more effective treatment approaches.
Establishment and characterization of a novel murine model of pancreatic cancer cachexia
Authors: Michaelis Katherine A. , Zhu Xinxia , Burfeind Kevin G. , Krasnow Stephanie M. , Levasseur Peter R. , Morgan Terry K. , Marks Daniel L.
Published: July 2017

Background

Cachexia is a complex metabolic and behavioural syndrome lacking effective therapies. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most important conditions associated with cachexia, with >80% of PDAC patients suffering from the condition. To establish the cardinal features of a murine model of PDAC‐associated cachexia, we characterized the effects of implanting a pancreatic tumour cell line from a syngeneic C57BL/6 KRASG12D P53R172H Pdx‐Cre+/+ (KPC) mouse.

Methods

Male and female C57BL/6 mice were inoculated subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, or orthotopically with KPC tumour cells. We performed rigorous phenotypic, metabolic, and behavioural analysis of animals over the course of tumour development.

Results

All routes of administration produced rapidly growing tumours histologically consistent with moderate to poorly differentiated PDAC. The phenotype of this model was dependent on route of administration, with orthotopic and intraperitoneal implantation inducing more severe cachexia than subcutaneous implantation. KPC tumour growth decreased food intake, decreased adiposity and lean body mass, and decreased locomotor activity. Muscle catabolism was observed in both skeletal and cardiac muscles, but the dominant catabolic pathway differed between these tissues. The wasting syndrome in this model was accompanied by hypothalamic inflammation, progressively decreasing brown and white adipose tissue uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) expression, and increased peripheral inflammation. Haematological and endocrine abnormalities included neutrophil‐dominant leukocytosis and anaemia, and decreased serum testosterone.

Conclusions

Syngeneic KPC allografts are a robust model for studying cachexia, which recapitulate key features of the PDAC disease process and induce a wide array of cachexia manifestations. This model is therefore ideally suited for future studies exploring the physiological systems involved in cachexia and for preclinical studies of novel therapies.
Susceptibility to HIV‐1 infection is influenced by toll like receptor‐2 (−196 to −174) polymorphism in a north Indian population
Authors: Vidyant Sanjukta , Chatterjee Animesh , Agarwal Vikas , Dhole Tapan N.
Published: July 2017

Background

Toll like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that recognize molecular patterns of pathogens and play an important role in innate immunity. Recent studies have identified that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the TLR gene impairs the response to TLR ligands in some individuals and is associated with susceptibility to various infectious diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the role of four SNPs in the TLR2 gene [−196 to −174 Ins/Del, 2258 G/A (Arg753Gln), 2029 C/T (Arg677Trp) and 1892 C/A (Pro631His)] with respect to susceptibility and progression to HIV‐1 in North Indian individuals.

Methods

The study population consisted of 160 HIV‐1 seropositive patients stratified on the basis of disease severity (stages I, II and III) and 270 HIV‐1 seronegative individuals. The subjects were genotyped for TLR2 gene polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results

In the present study, we found that the TLR2 Del mutant genotype [odds ratio (OR) = 2.138; p = 0.001] and allele (OR = 1.562; p = 0.002) was at a higher frequency in patients with HIV‐1 infection compared to healthy controls and was significantly associated with the risk of HIV‐1 infection and disease susceptibility. Furthermore, we also found that TLR2 Del homozygous genotype was at a lower frequency in stage III (19.35%) compared to stage I (50.87%; OR = 1.901) and stage II (43.05%; OR = 1.514) and was associated with a reduced risk of HIV‐1 disease progression.

Conclusions

The present study reports for the first time that the TLR2–196 to −174 Ins/Del polymorphism is a risk factor for HIV‐1 transmission in HIV‐1 infected North Indian individuals.
Assessing threats of violence: Professional skill or common sense?
Authors: Geurts Renate , Granhag Pär Anders , Ask Karl , Vrij Aldert
Published: July 2017

When faced with threats of violence, it is of great importance to assess the risk for actual harm to occur. Over the last decades, this task has developed into a domain of its own and professionals have specialised in threat assessment. However, it is yet unknown whether professional experience affects the quality of threat assessments. The present study examined how threat assessment professionals (N = 44), university students (N = 44), and laypersons (N = 45) assessed the risk for violence in three fictitious cases. The assessments (i.e., assigning risk values to different pieces of information) were found to be strikingly similar across the three groups. Yet, professionals agreed more with one another on their assessments, and professionals identified more relevant (empirically supported) threat cues when given the opportunity to request additional information. These results suggest that threat assessment professionals know better than nonprofessionals what information to look for, and hence, they may contribute most in the process of gathering information to clarify the threat. Such knowledge can help to optimise the use of expertise, which may improve the quality of threat assessments. The current findings can be of value to those who consult threat assessment professionals, as well as to the professionals themselves.
Susceptibility weighted imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping of the cerebral vasculature using ferumoxytol
Authors: Liu Saifeng , Brisset Jean‐Christophe , Hu Jiani , Haacke E. Mark , Ge Yulin
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To demonstrate the potential of imaging cerebral arteries and veins with ferumoxytol using susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

Materials and Methods

The relationships between ferumoxytol concentration and the apparent susceptibility at 1.5T, 3T, and 7T were determined using phantom data; the ability of visualizing subvoxel vessels was evaluated using simulations; and the feasibility of using ferumoxytol to enhance the visibility of small vessels was confirmed in three healthy volunteers at 7T(with doses 1 mg/kg to 4 mg/kg). The visualization of the lenticulostriate arteries and the medullary veins was assessed by two raters and the contrast‐to‐noise ratios (CNRs) of these vessels were measured.

Results

The relationship between ferumoxytol concentration and susceptibility was linear with a slope 13.3 ± 0.2 ppm·mg‐1·mL at 7T. Simulations showed that SWI data with an increased dose of ferumoxytol, higher echo time (TE), and higher imaging resolution improved the detection of smaller vessels. With 4 mg/kg ferumoxytol, voxel aspect ratio = 1:8, TE = 10 ms, the diameter of the smallest detectable artery was approximately 50μm. The rating score for arteries was improved from 1.5 ± 0.5 (precontrast) to 3.0 ± 0.0 (post‐4 mg/kg) in the in vivo data and the apparent susceptibilities of the arteries (0.65 ± 0.02 ppm at 4 mg/kg) agreed well with the expected susceptibility (0.71 ± 0.05 ppm).

Conclusion

The CNR for cerebral vessels with ferumoxytol can be enhanced using SWI, and the apparent susceptibilities of the arteries can be reliably quantified using QSM. This approach improves the imaging of the entire vascular system outside the capillaries and may be valuable for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases which involve the microvasculature.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:621–633.
Myofiber metabolic type determination by mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Centeno Delphine , Vénien Annie , Pujos‐Guillot Estelle , Astruc Thierry , Chambon Christophe , Théron Laëtitia
Published: July 2017

Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging is a powerful tool that opens new research opportunities in the field of biology. In this work, predictive model was developed to discriminate metabolic myofiber types using the MALDI spectral data. Rat skeletal muscles are constituted of type I and type IIA fiber, which have an oxidative metabolism for glycogen degradation, and type IIX and type IIB fiber which have a glycolytic metabolism, present in different proportions according to the muscle function and physiological state. So far, myofiber type is determined by histological methods that are time consuming.

Thanks to the predictive model, we were able to predict not only the metabolic fiber type but also their location, on the same muscle section that was used for MALDI imaging. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Repeated annual drought has minor long‐term influence on δ13C and alkane composition of plant and soil in model grassland and heathland ecosystems
Authors: Srivastava Kavita , Jentsch Anke , Glaser Bruno , Wiesenberg Guido L. B.
Published: July 2017

As a result of global climate change the incidence of drought conditions in Europe is predicted to increase in the future, which also influences plant resistance. Lipids are important plant constituents that protect plants against drought stress and contribute to the intermediate stable carbon (C) pool in soil. However, the extent to which drought influences lipid cycling in the plant–soil system is unknown and, therefore, it remains questionable how the ecosystem recovers after drought. We focused on plant and soil samples from two different plant communities (temperate grassland and heathland) that had been exposed to 5 years of 4.5–6.0 weeks repeated annual drought. They were sampled one year after the last drought to check the recovery of the plant–soil system. Samples were analyzed for their bulk C, stable C and nitrogen (N) isotope (δ13C, δ15N) and lipid composition. Contrary to our expectation, no strong influence of five years of repeated annual drought was observed for above‐ground biomass, roots and soils in the model ecosystems with respect to elemental (C and N concentrations, C : N ratio) bulk isotope (δ13C, δ15N) composition and the total extractable lipid concentration. Thus, plants did not sustain a significant change in their C and lipid concentration as well as their composition after five years of repeated annual drought. This might be related to the comparatively short drought period related to the overall growth season and provides evidence for recovery of the C and lipid dynamics in temperate grassland and heathland model ecosystems exposed to annual drought.
Effects of controlled‐release potassium fertilizer on available potassium, photosynthetic performance, and yield of cotton
Authors: Tian Xiao-Fei , Li Cheng-Liang , Zhang Min , Lu Yan-Yan , Guo Yan-Le , Liu Long-Fei
Published: July 2017

Potassium (K) is one of the major mineral elements required for normal growth of cotton. However, understanding the effect of controlled‐release K fertilizer on leaf photosynthesis and K use efficiency (KUE) of cotton is currently limited. A two‐year pot experiment was consecutively conducted in 2014 and 2015 with three kinds of K fertilizer including K2SO4, KCl, and polymer‐coated KCl (CRK), each at four application rates (0.00, 0.86, 1.73, and 2.59 g K plant−1, respectively). For each type of K fertilizer, the yield and K uptake of cotton increased but the KUE decreased with higher K fertilizer application. The release characteristics of K from CRK corresponded well to the K requirements during cotton growth. Plant‐available soil K, as well as leaf SPAD values, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and effective quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSII) in CRK treatments were increased after full bloom stage compared to conventional K fertilizers under the same potassium application rate. Consequently, the CRK treatments significantly increased lint cotton yields by 8.1–32.7% and 3.7–20.8%, while the KUE increased by 15.5–54.8% and 14.5–45.4% compared to KCl and K2SO4 treatments, respectively. The results indicate that the application of CRK is intensively recommended to replace conventional potassium fertilizers for gaining greater yields and higher KUE of cotton.
Impact of soybean aging conditions on tofu sensory characteristics and acceptance
Authors: Kamizake Neide Kiyoko Kondo , Silva Lilian Catarini Pereira , Prudencio Sandra Helena
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Tofu from aged soybeans is of poor quality, mainly with respect to texture. Texture defects described in the literature are contradictory. No study has investigated all sensory properties simultaneously. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of soybean aging conditions [natural: ambient temperature and RH, 18 months, and accelerated: 30 °C, 84% relative humidity (RH), 6 months] on all of the sensory characteristics and the acceptance of tofu. Texture and color were also evaluated via an instrumental method. The control condition was –20 °C and 47% RH. Coodetec 214 and BRS 267 cultivars were studied.

RESULTS

The effect of soybean accelerated aging on tofu sensory characteristics and acceptance was more pronounced compared to the natural condition. The two cultivars had a similar behavior. Tofu control exhibited a light, uniform and bright color, cohesive appearance, sweet aroma and flavor, as well as a firm and elastic texture. Tofu made from both aged cultivars showed a gray color with dark spots, a rough appearance, fermented aroma, rancid flavor, an astringent and bitter taste, a fracturable texture and adherence to the oral cavity after chewing. These characteristics of tofu from aged soybeans implied a low acceptance by consumers.

CONCLUSION

Tofu from natural and accelerated aged soybeans has sensory attributes of appearance, as well as aroma, flavor and damaged texture, that are unacceptable by consumers. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Duplex Doppler Sonographic Assessment of the Superior Mesenteric Artery in Patients With Mesenteric Panniculitis
Authors: Acu Berat , Güven Mehmet Emrah , Kaptan Mehmet Ali , Öztunalı Çiğdem , Gökçe Erkan , Beyhan Murat , Kara Taylan
Published: July 2017

Objectives

We aimed to determine how the hemodynamic parameters of the superior mesenteric artery are affected in mesenteric panniculitis.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients with a diagnosis of mesenteric panniculitis on computed tomography were evaluated with duplex Doppler sonography. The control group consisted 20 asymptomatic volunteers. The peak systolic velocity, end‐diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), blood flow volume, and body mass index were measured in the group of patients with mesenteric panniculitis, and the findings were compared with those of the control group.

Results

The mean blood flow volume and EDV were significantly higher in the patient group: The mean superior mesenteric artery blood flow volume ± SD was 917.86 ± 228.97 mL/min in the patient group versus 389.73 ± 92.72 mL/min in the control group (P < .001). The mean EDV was 31.56 ± 8.44 m/s in the patient group versus 19.27 ± 4.19 m/s in the control group (P < .001). The mean RI and PI were significantly lower in the patient group: The mean RI was 0.81 ± 0.04 in the patient group versus 0.85 ± 0.03 in the control group (P = .001). The mean PI was 2.69 ± 0.68 in the patient group versus 3.81 ± 1.13 in the control group (P = .001). the mean superior mesenteric artery diameter was 7.30 ± 0.67 mm in the patient group versus and 6.46 ± 0.66 mm in the control group (P < .001). The mean BMI was 27.95 ± 3.80 kg/m2 in the patient group versus 23.16 ± 3.47 kg/m2 in the control group (P < .001).

Conclusions

In patients with mesenteric panniculitis, the Doppler spectrum of the superior mesenteric artery shows detectable changes, which are characterized by decreased vascular resistance and increased blood flow.
The effects of aspirated thickened water on survival and pulmonary injury in a rabbit model
Authors: Nativ‐Zeltzer Nogah , Kuhn Maggie A. , Imai Denise M. , Traslavina Ryan P. , Domer Amanda S. , Litts Juliana K. , Adams Brett , Belafsky Peter C.
Published: July 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Liquid thickeners are one of the most frequently utilized treatment strategies for persons with oropharyngeal swallowing dysfunction. The effect of commercially available thickeners on lung injury is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of aspiration of water alone, xanthan gum (XG)–thickened water, and cornstarch (CS)‐thickened water on survival and lung morphology in a rabbit model.

Study Design

Animal model. Prospective small animal clinical trial.

Methods

Adult New Zealand White rabbits (n = 24) were divided into three groups of eight rabbits. The groups underwent 3 consecutive days of 1.5 mL/kg intratracheal instillation of water (n = 8), XG‐thickened water (n = 8), and CS‐thickened water (n = 8). The animals were euthanized on day 4, and survival and pulmonary histopathology were compared between groups.

Results

In all, 12.5% of rabbits (n = 8) instilled with CS‐thickened water survived until the endpoint of the study (day 4). All animals instilled with water (n = 8) or XG‐thickened water (n = 8) survived. A mild increase in intra‐alveolar hemorrhage was observed for the animals instilled with CS‐thickened water compared to the other groups (P < .05). In the groups that survived to the endpoint of the study, instillation of water thickened with XG resulted in greater pulmonary inflammation, pulmonary interstitial congestion, and alveolar edema than water alone (P < .05).

Conclusions

These data suggest that 3 consecutive days of 1.5 mg/kg of aspirated CS‐thickened water are fatal, and that XG‐thickened water is more injurious than aspirated water alone. Additional research is necessary to further delineate the dangers of aspirated thickened liquids.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 128:327–331, 2018
Association between systemic antibiotic and corticosteroid use for chronic rhinosinusitis and quality of life
Authors: Yamasaki Alisa , Hoehle Lloyd P. , Phillips Katie M. , Feng Allen L. , Campbell Adam P. , Caradonna David S. , Gray Stacey T. , Sedaghat Ahmad R.
Published: July 2017

Objective

We sought to establish the significance of querying chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients about their past CRS‐related oral antibiotic and corticosteroid usage by determining the association between these metrics and patients’ quality of life (QoL).

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A total of 157 patients with CRS were prospectively recruited. CRS‐specific QoL was measured using the 22‐item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22). General health‐related QoL was measured using the EuroQoL five‐dimensional questionnaire visual analog scale. Associations were sought between these measures of QoL and frequency of CRS‐related oral antibiotic and corticosteroid usage reported by the participants in the prior 3 and 12 months.

Results

More frequent antibiotic and corticosteroid use was significantly associated with worse CRS‐specific and general health‐related QoL, whether querying medication use over the prior 3 months or over the prior 12 months (P < 0.001 in all cases). The effect size of CRS‐related antibiotic use during the prior 3 months on CRS‐specific QoL (SNOT‐22 score) was significantly greater than for use during the prior 12 months. However, there was no other statistically significant difference in effect size for association between QoL and CRS‐related antibiotic or corticosteroid use in the prior 3 months versus prior 12 months. These results were independent of the presence or absence of polyps.

Conclusion

More frequent past CRS‐related oral antibiotic and corticosteroid use, regardless of time period queried (3 months or 12 months) is associated with significant decrease in CRS‐specific and general health‐related QoL. CRS‐related systemic medication use is an important indicator of CRS patients’ QOL that easily can be queried and utilized in both clinical and research settings.

Level of Evidence

2c. Laryngoscope, 128:37–42, 2018