bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medicinal Plants Sensitizes Colon Tissue to Apoptosis in a Rat Model of Colon Cancer
Authors: Waly Mostafa I
Published: April 2020

Background

Colon cancer is the leading global cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and various medicinal plants were used routinely to treat malignant cancers, including colon cancer. The chemotherapy is costly and leads to adverse reactions which may cause patient incompliance and deterioration of the quality of life, therefore there is a continuous need of natural therapeutic agents in the course of treatment and primary prevention of colon cancer.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to examine in vivo protective effects of five different medicinal plants (Rumex vesicarius, Oxalis corniculate, Pteropyrum scoparium, Moringa peregrine, and Caralluma arabica) in the activation of apoptosis of rat colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane (AOM).

Methods

Azoxymethane (AOM), a colon selective carcinogenic agent, was used to induce colon cancer in Sprague Dawley rats which were divided into 12 groups, n=10, (Control, AOM‐injected group and the other ten groups were fed ad‐libitum for 12 weeks a diet supplemented with a mixture of the one of the five different medicinal plants in the presence or absence of AOM injection). By the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed; colon tissues were excised and homogenized for biochemical measurements of: oxidative DNA damage, reduced glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity. Caspase‐3 cleavage, which has been considered as an apoptotic index, was detected using Western blotting techniques.

Results

Our results showed that the assayed medicinal plants have significantly reduced AOM‐induced colonic aberrant crypt foci development and AOM‐induced oxidative stress. Caspase‐3 cleavage, which has been considered as an apoptotic index, was almost undetectable in AOM‐treated rats, meanwhile the five medicinal plants exhibited pro‐apoptotic effects evidenced by increased levels of cleaved caspase‐3.

Conclusion

In the studied model, our findings provide in vivo evidence that the medicinal plants are potent in inhibiting the early stages of colon carcinogenesis by preventing oxidative stress and inducing apoptosis. Our results highlight the importance use of these medicinal supplementation during chemotherapy as a synergistic factor in increasing therapeutic efficiency and increased survival times in colon cancer patients.

Support or Funding Information

Sultan Qaboos university, Internal Grant Funding (IG/AGR/Food/01/17)

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Novel Adhesive Silicone‐Based Cell Culture Systems for Differentiation of Human Adipose Tissue‐Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Stock Peggy , Meltke Martin , Hildebrand Janis , Böttcher Gunther , Christ Bruno
Published: April 2020

We established a protocol for the differentiation of hepatocyte‐like cells derived from human adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (hAT‐MSC) in classical two‐dimensional cell culture, yet the physiological functions can be optimized. Classical two‐dimensional cell culture systems exhibit a high modulus of elasticity, yet, without representing the stiffness of human organs. A novel adhesive silicone was utilized to improve the elasticity of the cell culture substratum and to simulate the stiffness of organ tissue.

Aim of the study was to analyse the differentiation ability of hAT‐MSC into cells of meso‐ and endodermal lineages on collagen‐coated adhesive silicone layers with low elastic modulus (500 Pa) in comparison with classical 2D cell cultures on polystyrene (103 MPa). hAT‐MSC were differentiated by a two‐step protocol and the progress was verified 8 and 21 days after initiation by the detection of specific histochemical hallmarks and biochemical characteristics.

hAT‐MSC attached to the collagen‐coated adhesive silicon and formed cell layers. The formation of spheroids was observed with ongoing culture only in undifferentiated and hepatogenic differentiation, to lower extent also during osteogenic differentiation. Specific stainings on undifferentiated cells on adhesive silicone versus classical cell culture revealed no evident differences in fat content by Oil‐Red‐O staining (adipogenic), alkaline phosphatase by BCIP/NBT staining (osteogenic), and glycogen by PAS staining (hepatogenic). Differentiated cells cultured on adhesive silicone showed more pronounced staining under all three differentiation directions as compared to classically cultured cells. Fat deposit quantification of adipogenic differentiated cells displayed a 2.9‐fold increase in cells cultured on adhesive silicon as compared to the 1.9‐fold increase in cells classically cultured. The urea production rate [μg/10.000 cells*24h] was significantly higher in the culture on adhesive silicone as compared to the classical culture after 21 days of hepatogenic differentiation: 51 ± 13 vs. 0.33 ± 0.04.

The results show the appropriateness of adhesive collagen‐coated silicone for the various differentiation directions of hAT‐MSC. The silicone supports the potential of hAT‐MSC to growth as spheroids. Thus, the collagen‐coated adhesive silicone represents an important tool for the development of in vitro culture systems mimicking E‐moduli of tissues and improving physiological functions.

Support or Funding Information

The study was supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Free State of Saxony (SAB) 100282466 to J.H. and P.S.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Effects of Aerobic Physical Training on Thermoregulatory Adjustments During Physical Exercise in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Drummond Lucas Rios , Campos Helton Oliveira , Rodrigues Quezia Teixeira , Gonçalves Gleisy Kelly , Horta Nayara Abreu , da Costa Monteiro Mateus , Primola‐Gomes Thales Nicolau , Coimbra Candido Celso
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to investigate the effects of physical training on thermoregulatory adjustments during running exercise and its effects on brain neuronal nitric oxide synthase (n‐NOS) expression. Male spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar rats (NWR) at 8‐weeks age old were divided into four groups: untrained NWR (NWR‐U), trained NWR (NWR‐T), untrained SHR (SHR‐U) and trained SHR (SHR‐T). Experimental procedures were approved by the CEUA‐UFMG (#21/2015). Aerobic exercise training was performed on a treadmill running for 8 weeks. On the day of the experiments, the rats were subjected to a constant‐speed (60% of Vmáx) protocol until fatigue at 25°C. Tail skin temperature (Ts) and abdominal temperature (Ta) were measured every minute throughout the exercise trials. The preoptic area (POA) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) of hypothalamus was collected to quantification of n‐NOS(ser852) by western blot. During exercise, the SHR‐U group showed greater increase in Ta compared to with NWR‐U group from the 16th min until the 23th min (min 23: 1.62 ± 0.15 °C vs. 1.21 ± 0.12 °C, p<0.05) and lower Ts from the 1th until the 16th min of exercise (min 16: 0.09 ± 0.95 °C vs. 1.39 ± 0.41 °C, p<0.05). Physical training in SHRs group did not change Ta response during exercise (fatigue: SHR‐T: 1.54 ± 0.29 °C vs. SHR‐U: 1.70 ± 0.18 °C, p<0.05) but caused a greater increase in Ts in SHR‐T group (min 12: −0.54 ± 0.93 °C vs. −2.64 ± 0.80 °C, p<0.05). Physical training in NWR group did not change Ta response during exercise (fatigue: NWR‐T: 1.62 ± 0.26 °C vs. NWR‐U: 1.71 ± 0.26 °C, p<0.05) but caused a greater increase in Ts in NWR‐T group (fatigue: 3.65 ± 0.38 °C vs. 1.60 ± 0.47 °C, p<0.05). The p‐nNOS expression in APO was lower in SHR‐U group when compared to the NWR‐U (0.06 ± 0.01 u.a. vs. 0.09 ± 0.01 u.a., p<0.05). Physical training increased the p‐nNOS expression in the APO in the SHR group (0.10 ± 0.01 u.a. vs. 0.06 ± 0.01 u.a., p<0.05). The p‐nNOS expression in PVN was similar between SHR‐U and NWR‐U groups (SHR‐U: 1.10 ± 0.19 u.a vs. NWR NT: 0.94 ± 0.13 u.a., p>0.05). Physical training increased p‐NOS expression in the APO in both SHR group (1.58 ± 0.17 u.a. vs. 1.10 ± 0.19 u.a., p<0.05) and NWR group (1.56 ± 0.25 u.a vs. 0.94 ± 0.13 u.a., p<0.05). We conclude that physical training increases the efficiency of thermoregulatory control during exercise in hypertensive animals, which can be explained, at least in part, to an increase in the activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in trained animals.

Support or Funding Information

Fapemig, Capes, and CNPq.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Effect of aqueous extract of Tamarindus indica Linn. (Leguminosae) pulp on basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion due to histamine, pentagastrin and carbachol in rats
Authors: Onwuchekwa Chinedu , Okon Bassey
Published: April 2020

Local folklore claims that Tamarindus indica Linn. (Leguminosae) has a gastric beneficial role in humans ( Pankaj et al., 2011). This study was carried out to examine the effects of tamarind on basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion (GAS) in the Wistar rats. Four groups of rats consisting of 6 rats (180 – 210 g) each were treated with aqueous extract of tamarind pulp (1.5 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg) orally for 21 days. The ethical guidelines in accordance with NIH Guide for care and use of laboratory animals were followed in the handling of the animals during the studies. At the last day of the treatment, the rats were fasted for 24 hours, anaesthetized with ketamine and cannulated through the femoral vein. GAS (mEq/l−1) induced by histamine, pentagastrin and carbachol administration were assessed by using modified continuous perfusion technique method of Ghosh and Schild (1958) and its acidity determined by titration method. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM. Student's t‐test and one way ANOVA were used to analyze and determine levels of significance at p=0.05.

The aqueous extract of tamarind significantly decreased (p<0.05) GAS induced by the histamine, pentagastrin and carbachol at small and medium doses, but not at higher doses over the 80 minute's period in all the treated groups. The gastroprotective action of tamarind may be multifactorial that may include anti‐secretory action.

Support or Funding Information

The financial support of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Nigeria is acknowledged

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Modified team‐based learning as a weekly formative review
Authors: Hartley Rebecca S , McGuire Paul G
Published: April 2020

Team‐Based Learning is an evidence‐based collaborative learning strategy designed around units of instruction, known as “modules,” that are taught in a three‐step cycle: preparation, in‐class readiness assurance testing, and application‐focused exercise. The Anatomy, Histology and Embryology course at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine modified TBL for use as both summative and formative weekly assessment, ending each week with a TBL module. The individual readiness assessment test (IRAT) served as a weekly “summative” quiz, while the group readiness assessment test (GRAT) served a formative role, allowing students to debrief and learn from each other following the IRAT. The application exercises were clinical cases focused on application of the anatomy, histology and embryology. Instead of additional multiple choice questions, questions were posed in short and long answer formats, giving the students an opportunity to generate their own answers for deeper learning. An addition specific to anatomy, were weekly mini‐practical exams to prepare students for summative lab practical exams. This modified TBL method was well‐received by students and prepared them for summative exams. One drawback was that scores from the GRAT, application exercise, and mini‐practical contributed to passing of some students that did not have a strong enough grasp on the concepts. This method was abandoned when the course was integrated as a thread into the existing organ blocks of the preclinical curriculum. Recently, this form of TBL was modified again to serve a purely formative role in weekly review and consolidation of concepts in the Musculoskeletal, Skin, and Connective Tissue Block of the integrated curriculum. Student feedback and scores strongly support use of this method as a formative review of the weekly material to prepare students for weekly graded quizzes and a summative NBME exam.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Developmental Exposure to Chlorpyrifos Modulates Pulmonary Function in Adult Rats
Authors: Grodzki Ana Cristina , Schelegle Edward , Lein Pamela
Published: April 2020

Acute OP intoxication is well known to cause bronchoconstriction and increase airway secretions via inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). However, occupational and environmental exposures to organophosphorus pesticides (OP) at levels not expected to significantly inhibit AChE are associated with increased incidence of asthma and other pulmonary diseases. In support of the epidemiological data, acute exposure of adult guinea pigs and rats to OPs at levels that do not inhibit AChE in the lung, blood or brain have been shown to cause airway hyperreactivity (AHR). More recently, epidemiologic studies have suggested that exposure to OPs during development is also associated with increased risk of asthma. To address whether developmental OP exposures are also causally linked to AHR, we measured respiratory physiology in young adult rats exposed to the OP chlorpyrifos (CPF) at 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg/d (sc) from postnatal days 1–4. Using a Flexivent mechanical ventilator, airway responsiveness to electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves was quantified. Preliminary findings suggest that adult female rats exposed developmentally to CPF exhibit significantly decreased airway resistance and elastance in response to electrical vagal stimulation relative to vehicle controls. In contrast, male rats exposed developmentally to CPF did not exhibit any changes in airway resistance and elastance in response to electrical vagal stimulation relative to vehicle controls. These results suggest that early life exposure to CPF triggers atypical expansion of the large and small conducting airways in the lungs of female, but not male rats. These findings will significantly advance our understanding of the role of OPs in respiratory diseases, and ultimately, inform risk assessments used to protect human health and safety. The United States Environmental Protection Agency currently uses acetylcholinesterase inhibition as a biomarker of OP toxicity; however, OPs modulate lung function at levels significantly lower than those that inhibit AChE. The findings of this research could potentially provide a scientifically rational basis for reassessment of exposure limits for OPs as well as help direct future research on therapeutic agents for treating/respiratory disorders in OP‐exposed children and adolescents.

Support or Funding Information

Work was supported by the NIH (R01 ES017592 to PL and pilot project funding to ACG from P30 ES023513).

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Assembly of a mechanosensitive complex is required to initiate sprouting angiogenesis
Authors: Bayless Kayla , Duran Camille L. , Abbey Colette A. , Kang Hojin A.
Published: April 2020

Endothelial cells (ECs) must respond rapidly to a variety of extracellular cues to initiate sprouting events. We undertook the current study to better understand how mechanical forces (shear stress) combine with biochemical cues to promote sprout outgrowth in a defined 3D model of EC invasion, because while the effects of shear stress have been widely studied in atherosclerosis, the molecular events directed by mechanical forces in angiogenic sprouting are incompletely understood. We initially focused on the known mechanosensitive protein Filamin A, which has been implicated in barrier regulation and vascular development. We found that Filamin A is required for EC sprouting in 3D and localizes to junctions with EC activation. Filamin A formed a complex with vascular endothelial (VE)‐cadherin and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM‐1), two known members of mechanosensitive complex, following activation with shear stress and pro‐angiogenic factors. Silencing of Filamin A also disrupted the VE‐cadherin and PECAM‐1 complex, which correlates with decreased sprouting. Filamin A co‐localized with SHP2, a phosphatase previously implicated in barrier formation, following EC activation. SHP2 complexed with junctional molecules Filamin A, VE‐cadherin, and PECAM‐1, and complex formation between SHP2, VE‐cadherin, and PECAM‐1 was lost with Filamin A knockdown. In addition, in the absence of Filamin A expression, SHP2 failed to localize to endothelial junctions. Further, SHP2 silencing significantly reduced sprouting, and defects in sprouting were rescued by delivery of wild‐type SHP2. Altogether these data suggest that Filamin A recruits SHP2 to reinforce a transmembrane complex containing VE‐cadherin and PECAM‐1 that is needed to initiate EC sprouting. These data show for the first time that the formation of this mechanosensitive complex containing VE‐cadherin, PECAM‐1, Filamin A, and SHP2 is needed for successful sprout initiation.

Support or Funding Information

Work supported by NIH RO1 HL095786, the Department of Molecular & Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, and AHA Grant‐in‐Aid, Southwest Affiliate.

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Cannabinoid Inhibition of Carboxylesterase 1 (CES1)
Authors: Qian Yuli , Markowitz John S.
Published: April 2020

The increasing use of cannabis for both medical indications and on a recreational basis poses a potential for drug interactions between cannabis or one or more of its constituents and conventional therapeutic agents. Although significant efforts have been made to assess the in vitro and in vivo effects of cannabis on cytochrome P450 and UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase enzyme systems, there is no information on the potential influence of cannabis on the major hepatic esterase, carboxylesterase 1 (CES1). In this study, we investigated the in vitro inhibitory effects of the major cannabinoids and metabolites including Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), 11‐nor‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol‐carboxylic acid (THC‐COOH), and 11‐Hydroxy‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (11‐OH‐THC) on CES1 activity.

An in vitro system of S9 fractions from human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells stably expressing CES1 was utilized to assess the inhibitory effects of the cannabinoids. THC, CBD, and CBN each exhibited substantial inhibitory potency, and were further studied to determine their mechanism of inhibition and kinetic parameters. The inhibition of CES1 by THC, CBD, and CBN was reversible and appears to proceed through a mixed competitive‐noncompetitive mechanism. The Ki values for THC, CBD, and CBN inhibition were 0.541, 0.974, and 0.263 μM (0.170, 0.306, and 0.0817 μg/ml), respectively. Compared to the unbound plasma concentrations achievable through medical or recreational use, the Ki values suggest a potential for clinically significant inhibition of CES1 by THC and CBD. CBN, however, is expected to have limited impact on CES1. Clinical studies are warranted to confirm these in vitro findings.

Support or Funding Information

Self‐funded

This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
Diabetes insipidus
Authors: Perkins Amanda
Published: April 2020

Nurses in all clinical areas, from pediatrics to geriatrics, may encounter this relatively rare disease. Knowing how to identify, monitor, and treat it can help save patients from potentially life-threatening complications.
The Role of Hyperinsulinemia in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
Authors: Montañez-Alvarez Manuel , Flores-Navarro Héctor H. , Cuevas-De Alba Carlos , Arana-Hernández Erika I. , Ramírez-Ruiz Marisa
Published: April 2020

Background:

Obesity in the prepuberal stage has been directly associated with slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Serum insulin level increases in the prepuberal and adolescence stage, to a greater extent in the obese population. The main objective of this article was to analyze the relationship between insulin levels and SCFE.

Methods:

A case-control study was conducted between January 2018 and April 2019. The study group was formed with patients with SCFE and the control group with patients from the pediatric obesity clinic of our hospital selected during their initial evaluation. None were being treated for obesity. Anthropometric measurements of size, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were taken. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-height index of all patients were calculated. According to BMI for age, they were classified as normal, overweight, or obese. Serum determinations of glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, and complete blood count were analyzed. Insulin resistance was diagnosed with Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) >3. Insulin levels >13 U/mL for girls and >17 U/mL for boys were considered as hyperinsulinemia.

Results:

We studied 14 patients with SCFE and 23 in the control group. The mean age and BMI in both groups were similar. The elevation of serum insulin was significantly higher in the SCFE group (P=0.001) as was HOMA (P=0.005). Triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein were higher in the SCFE group (P=0.037 and 0.009, respectively). Glycemia, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and neutrophils showed no significant difference.

Conclusions:

Patients with SCFE showed elevated levels of insulin, HOMA, triglycerides, and very-low-density lipoprotein, even higher than the control group. Our study demonstrates a significant association between abnormally high serum insulin levels and SCFE. The known effects of insulin on growth cartilage may explain the physeal mechanical insufficiency to support the abnormally high or repetitive loads in accelerated growth stages that lead to SCFE.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—case-control, prognostic study.
Neurologic Manifestations of Severe Respiratory Viral Contagions
Authors: Robinson Christopher P. , Busl Katharina M.
Published: April 2020

Objectives:

Endemic and pandemic viral respiratory infections have recently emerged as a critical topic of investigation given the recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 outbreak. Data from such outbreaks indicate that severe systemic comorbidities including acute neurologic illness are associated with illness and lead to significant outcome differences. Herein, we will discuss the neurologic manifestations of severe viral respiratory infections including coronavirus, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumovirus, and enterovirus.

Data Sources:

PubMed and EMBASE were searched by two independent investigators up to March 2020.

Study Selection:

Data selection included preclinical and clinical studies detailing neurologic manifestations of viral respiratory infections.

Data Extraction and Synthesis:

Two independent investigators reviewed and extracted the data.

Conclusions:

Neurologic manifestations including seizures, status epilepticus, encephalitis, critical illness neuromyopathy, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, acute necrotizing encephalitis, Guillan-Barré syndrome, transverse myelitis, and acute flaccid myelitis have all been associated with severe viral respiratory infections. Having an understanding of the direct neurotropism of such viruses is imperative to understanding pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and potential treatment paradigms aimed at improving morbidity and mortality.
Periorbital Myofibroma in a Child: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sim Benjamin , Gal Andrew , Tumuluri Krishna
Published: April 2020

Infantile myofibroma is a rare benign tumor usually diagnosed before the age of 2 and found in the head and neck but much more rarely in the orbital region. There have only been 7 cases of periorbital myofibromas reported in children in the literature to date. The current case is of an 8-year-old boy with a left upper eyelid myofibroma confirmed on histopathological and immunochemical analysis. A literature review of periorbital myofibromas has been performed to bring the reader up-to-date with the current understanding and management of the disease.
Newly Designed Universal Trans-punctal Rigid Lacrimal Microendoscope
Authors: Mimura Masashi , Ko Audrey C. , Alameddine Ramzi M. , Korn Bobby S. , Kikkawa Don O. , Oku Hidehiro , Sato Bunpei , Ikeda Tsunehiko
Published: April 2020

Purpose:

To report the development and clinical findings of a universal trans-punctal lacrimal microendoscope design.

Methods:

In this study, we examined a unique and original “2-bend” (i.e., double-angle) rigid lacrimal microendoscope designed for universal applications for anatomical variations. The shape of endoscope was initially evaluated in 6 lacrimal systems of cadavers (4 Caucasian-cadaver lacrimal systems and 2 Asian-cadaver lacrimal systems). Second, a prospective clinical study involving 45 consecutive cases of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in Japanese patients was conducted to compare the facility and ease of use between the conventional single-bend type and our original 2-bend type trans-punctal lacrimal microendoscope for examination of the lacrimal drainage system.

Results:

The findings in the cadaver study revealed that original 2-bend lacrimal microendoscope, which was designed double-angled 20°–30° at 10 and 30 mm from the tip of the scope, could more easily used to insert and image all lacrimal systems, while the conventional single-bent lacrimal microendoscope was difficult to insert in subset of patients with a prominent nasal process of the frontal bone. In the clinical trial, our findings showed that 26.7% of lacrimal systems could not be passed using the conventional single-bend design, while using the 2-bend design, all cases could successfully be investigated.

Conclusions:

The original 2-bend-design microendoscope was found to be effective and valuable for universal use in examination and evaluation of the lacrimal passage.
Postnatal maturation of spinal dynorphin circuits and their role in somatosensation
Authors: Brewer Chelsie L. , Styczynski Lauren M. , Serafin Elizabeth K. , Baccei Mark L.
Published: April 2020

Inhibitory interneurons in the adult spinal dorsal horn (DH) can be neurochemically classified into subpopulations that regulate distinct somatosensory modalities. Although inhibitory networks in the rodent DH undergo dramatic remodeling over the first weeks of life, little is known about the maturation of identified classes of GABAergic interneurons, or whether their role in somatosensation shifts during development. We investigated age-dependent changes in the connectivity and function of prodynorphin (DYN)-lineage neurons in the mouse DH that suppress mechanosensation and itch during adulthood. In vitro patch clamp recordings revealed a developmental increase in primary afferent drive to DYN interneurons and a transition from exclusive C-fiber monosynaptic input to mixed A-fiber and C-fiber innervation. Although most adult DYN interneurons exhibited tonic firing as expected from their inhibitory phenotype, neonatal and adolescent DYN cells were predominantly classified as phasic or single-spiking. Importantly, we also found that most of the inhibitory presynaptic terminals contacting lamina I spinoparabrachial projection neurons (PNs) originate from DYN neurons. Furthermore, inhibitory synaptic input from DYN interneurons onto PNs was weaker during the neonatal period, likely reflecting a lower number of GABAergic terminals and a reduced probability of GABA release compared to adults. Finally, spinal DYN interneurons attenuated mechanical sensitivity throughout development, but this population dampened acute nonhistaminergic itch only during adulthood. Collectively, these findings suggest that the spinal “gates” controlling sensory transmission to the brain may emerge in a modality-selective manner during early life due to the postnatal tuning of inhibitory synaptic circuits within the DH.
Data Science and Graduate Nursing Education
Authors: Foster Marva , Tasnim Zarin
Published: April 2020

Background

The emergence of big data and data science offers unprecedented opportunities for accelerating scientific advances in nursing, yet current nursing curricula are not adequate to prepare students to leverage those opportunities.

Purpose

The purpose of this review was to describe current strategies that can be used to educate graduate nurses about data science methods as well as facilitators and challenges to adopting those strategies.

Method

We conducted a critical literature review of papers addressing data science and graduate nursing education.

Results

Ten articles were included in this review. The most common strategy was the integration of data science methods into existing courses throughout the graduate nursing curricula. A major facilitator was interdisciplinary collaboration between nursing faculty and colleagues in other disciplines.

Conclusion

The findings provide strategies that can be used to prepare graduate nurses to work in data science teams to shape big data research and optimize patient outcomes.
Thalamic Dementia in Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation—Role for Amantadine?
Authors: Kim Kiin , Mohan Abhinav , Yeh Bi-Ying , Ghebrendrias Youhans , Brentlinger Gary , Han Jay
Published: April 2020

Thalamic dementia is an uncommon type of stroke that presents with disorientation, behavioral changes, and impairment of executive functions, with relative preservation of motor functions. It is typically caused by paramedian territory infarctions of the thalamus, most often due to ischemic insult at the tip of the basilar artery. In this report, we present a case of bilateral thalamic infarcts resulting in thalamic dementia with severe behavioral manifestations in a 64-yr-old man with no preexisting neuropsychiatric comorbidities. A trial of amantadine, a dopamine-promoting agent, in the acute rehabilitation unit in an attempt to manage his agitation led to multiple weeks of dramatic behavioral improvement and increased participation in therapies. Dopamine receptors are believed to be present at increased densities in thalamic nuclei with mesolimbic projections, suggesting that they are able to modulate limbic functions such as arousal, emotion, and memory. This case report, aimed both to increase the awareness of this uncommon stroke syndrome and describe the observed effect of amantadine, will ultimately help clinicians properly recognize thalamic dementia, minimize unnecessary investigations, and develop effective neurorehabilitation strategies in these patients.
Differentiating Flail Limb Syndrome From Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Kornitzer Jeffrey , Abdulrazeq Hael F. , Zaidi Mohammad , Bach John R. , Kazi Abdul , Feinstein Erin , Sander Howard W. , Souayah Nizar
Published: April 2020

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate differences between flail limb syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Design

A retrospective chart review identified 16 cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 16 of flail limb syndrome. Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale, compound muscle action potential amsplitudes, and rate of loss of vital capacity were compared.

Results

Comparing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and flail limb syndrome patients, rate of loss of vital capacity was 5.26% ± 0.33% versus 0.54% ± 0.06%, respectively (P < 0.05). No patient in the flail limb syndrome group had a rate of loss of vital capacity more than 0.65% per month. No patient in the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis group had a rate of loss of vital capacity less than 4.6% per month. The average ulnar nerve compound muscle action potential amplitudes were significantly lower in flail limb syndrome (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the rate of Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale decline or average peroneal, tibial, and median nerve compound muscle action potential amplitudes.

Conclusions

In flail limb syndrome, an average monthly decrease in vital capacity exceeding 0.65% may suggest a spread of motor neuron loss to higher cervical anterior horn areas and raise the possibility of progression to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Larger prospective studies are needed to investigate the rate of VC decline in flail limb syndrome and limb-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and to establish whether a cutoff score combining rate of loss of vital capacity and compound muscle action potential amplitude mainly of the ulnar nerve might predict progression of flail limb syndrome to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the knowledge of which can facilitate appropriate patient counseling.
Nursing Home Survey on Patient Safety Culture: Cross-cultural Validation Data From Spanish Nursing Homes
Authors: Vrotsou Kalliopi , Pérez-Pérez Pastora , Alías Gorka , Machón Mónica , Mateo-Abad Maider , Vergara Itziar , Silvestre Carmen
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Developing an adequate patient safety culture is a relevant objective for all health care levels. The Nursing Home Survey on Patient Safety Culture (NHSOPS) is a 12-dimension tool assessing safety culture in nursing homes (NH) for elder people. The psychometric properties of its Spanish adaptation are evaluated in this study.

Methods

Nursing homes with 15 beds or more, located in the Basque Country (North Spain), were invited in the study. All staff types were allowed to participate. Internal consistency was tested with Cronbach’s α. Convergent and divergent validity with Spearman’s correlations. Two-sample t test was used for known-groups validity. The NHSOPS dimensionality was tested with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and its stability in consecutive administrations (test-retest) was explored.

Results

Five hundred fifty-three valid baseline and 83 retest replies were received. The data suggest that the NHSOPS can be represented by a 10-factor model. Two items (A6 and A10) had loadings of less than 0.12. The rest survey items obtained loadings of greater than 0.40. Estimated correlations supported the convergent and divergent validity of the survey. Managers and administrators, as well as staff considering their NH to be a safe place for residents, obtained higher NHSOPS scores, suggesting acceptable known-groups validity. On the other hand, test-retest variation was considerable.

Conclusions

The current data support a simpler model, similar to that of the Norwegian NHSOPS validation. The stability of the scale should be further assessed in a bigger sample. Test-retest reliability and developing an adequate scoring scheme are issues worth of further study.
Burnout, Engagement, and Dental Errors Among U.S. Dentists
Authors: Yansane Alfa , Tokede Oluwabunmi , Walji Muhammad , Obadan-Udoh Enihomo , Riedy Christine , White Joel , Kalenderian Elsbeth
Published: April 2020

Background

Errors can happen during patient care, and some result in harm to the patient. Work place stress has been well established in dentistry, but its relation with errors in the delivery of patient care is less understood. The authors evaluated the relationship between burnout, work engagement, and self-reported dental errors among American dentists.

Methods

From May to August 2016, a national sample of American Dental Association member dentists were sent a validated, electronic survey assessing their levels of burnout, work engagement, and dental errors.

Results

Of the 391 responding dentists, 46.1% reported concern that they had made a dental error in the last 6 months, 12.1% of the dentists were informed by dental staff that they may have committed an error in the last 6 months, 16% were concerned that a malpractice lawsuit would be filed against them, and 3.6% were actively involved in a malpractice lawsuit. In the adjusted analysis, multivariate logistic regression showed that dentists with either high burnout risk were more likely to report concern over a perceived error within the last 6 months.

Conclusions

The results suggest that dental provider burnout is potentially a key predictor of reporting perceived dental errors. It is imperative that the dental profession continue to study the effects of work-related stress, develop professional practices that decrease burnout, and reduce errors.

Practical Implications

Efforts that minimize the potential for burnout may help reduce the occurrence of errors and improve the quality of care provided to dental patients.
Interstitial Lung Disease in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis Patients
Authors: Kwon Minkyung , Lee Augustine S. , Mira-Avendano Isabel , Rojas Carlos A. , Grage Rolf , Abril Andy
Published: April 2020

Background/Objective

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV) may involve the kidney, respiratory tract, skin, or central and peripheral nervous system. Reports of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in AAV (AAV-ILD) have been increasing.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of all patients with AAV-ILD between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017, and compared their pulmonary involvement to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Results

We identified 24 patients with AAV-ILD: 14 with microscopic polyangiitis, 8 with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and 2 with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Perinuclear or myeloperoxidase ANCA was present in 16 cases (66.7%), whereas cytoplasmic or proteinase 3 ANCA was positive in 8 (33.3%). Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) was seen in 11 (45.8%), probable UIP in 1 (4.2%), indeterminate UIP in 2 (8.3%), and an alternate diagnosis in 10 (41.7%), and was further characterized as chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis-like pattern seen in 6 (25%), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia-like pattern in 3 (12.5%), and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia-like pattern in 1 (4.2%). Forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity declined over time in patients with AAV-ILD. When compared with the IPF cohort, patients with AAV-ILD had intermediate survival and speed of lung function decline (3-year survival in AAV-ILD group was 94% vs 69% in IPF).

Conclusions

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis ILD is a progressive and potentially fatal condition. Although most cases in the literature are associated with p-ANCA and positive myeloperoxidase, we found that a third of patients had c-ANCA or granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Our cohort adds experience in this rare manifestation of AAV.
Musculoskeletal Manifestations Observed in Patients Diagnosed With Chikungunya Virus in 2 Municipalities of the Brazilian Amazon Region
Authors: Cardoso Pereira Ana Beatriz , Fernandes de Albuquerque Lana Carla , Medeiros Souza Rita Catarina , Freire de Carvalho Jozélio , Muniz Caldas Cezar Augusto
Published: April 2020

Background

Chikungunya virus fever is an emerging disease that is rapidly spreading and becoming a global public health issue because of its clinical manifestations that cause physical limitations and high rates of chronification. No studies have characterized musculoskeletal manifestations in Brazilian patients with chikungunya.

Objective

To describe the musculoskeletal manifestations of patients with chikungunya infection in municipalities of the Brazilian Amazon region.

Methods

This study was an observational, descriptive, and analytical study conducted from March to May 2018. The gender, age, time of infection, clinical manifestations reported during the acute phase, and results of a physical examination of the musculoskeletal system were collected.

Results

The medical records of 63 patients with a laboratory confirmation of chikungunya virus fever were analyzed. Eighty-three percent of these patients were women, with a mean age of 50.6 ± 14.5 years and 3.3 ± 3.1 months of infection. The main clinical manifestations reported during the acute phase were arthralgia (100%), fever (91%), and exanthema (65%). The physical examination revealed that the main joints affected by arthralgia resulted in a polyarticular (57%, 5–10 joints) and symmetrical pattern (62%) that mainly affected the ankles (53%) and knees (51%). Regarding arthritis, the most frequently affected area was the wrist (42%), with an oligoarticular pattern (42%, 2–4 joints).

Conclusions

In general, the clinical manifestations described in the Brazilian Amazon population are similar to those reported in publications from other countries; however, the main arthritis pattern identified is oligoarticular, with a predominance of the wrist. Moreover, the chronicity rate is 48%.
PET/CT of Duodenal Gangliocytic Paraganglioma
Authors: Morland David , Dejust Sébastien , Brasseur Mathilde , Monnier Louise , Papathanassiou Dimitri
Published: April 2020

An 87-year-old woman with leg-type lymphoma underwent a staging 18F-FDG PET/CT, which demonstrated besides leg lymphomatous lesions a round, well-defined, preduodenal mass with moderate FDG uptake. This mass remained unchanged after chemotherapy treatment completion, despite a complete metabolic response of lymphomatous lesions. A biopsy revealed a gangliocytic paraganglioma. Subsequent 18F-FDOPA PET/CT and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy were positive and did not depict any other lesions.
Left Ventricular Mass is Independently Related to Coronary Artery Atherosclerotic Burden
Authors: Walpot Jeroen , Massalha Samia , Hossain Alomgir , Small Gary R. , Crean Andrew M. , Yam Yeung , Rybicki Frank J. , Inácio João R. , Chow Benjamin J.W.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Left ventricular mass (LVM) is a predictor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Coronary atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease [CAD]) and concentric left ventricular (LV) remodeling are linked pathophysiologically by endothelial dysfunction.

Aim:

This study sought to determine the potential association between coronary atherosclerosis and LVM.

Methods:

A total of 2384 consecutive patients, without structural heart disease or a medical history of CAD, undergoing prospective mid-diastolic electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. LVM and LV mid-diastolic volume were measured using semiautomated software and indexed to body surface area. The average LV mid-diastolic wall thickness and concentricity index (LVM/LV mid-diastolic volume) were calculated. According to the Agatston Score, the patients were divided into 3 groups (Agatston=0, 0.1 to 399.9, ≥400). Similarly, patients were also divided into 4 groups on the basis of the Total Plaque Score (TPS) (0, 1 to 4, 5 to 8, and ≥9). In addition, patients were categorized according to CAD (normal coronaries, nonobstructive CAD, and obstructive stenosis [obstruction >50%]). The association between the different categories of CAD and LV measures was assessed.

Results:

Both left ventricular mass index (LVMi) and the LV concentricity index increased with TPS categories from 55.3±12.1, 57.4±11.7, 60.9±13.6, and 63.7±15.3 g/m2 (P<0.05), and 0.935±0.424, 0.975±0.3273, 1.046±0.431, and 1.138±0.443 mL/g (P<0.01), respectively. A similar trend of increasing LVMi was observed with increasing Agatston Score (P<0.001) and CAD category (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

In patients without known structural heart disease, LVMi is independently associated with measures of CAD.
Outcomes of Stenting as a Bridge to Surgery in Malignant Colonic Obstruction, With Emphasis on Perforation Rate and Clinical Success
Authors: van Silfhout Lysanne , Smeekens Elisabeth A.J. , van Eekeren Ramon R.J.P. , Burger Jordy P.W.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Colonic stent placement in acute malignant obstruction has proven to be an alternative for emergency surgery. It has been associated with reduced stoma creation and postoperative morbidity. Concerns have risen that manipulation of the tumor and risk of perforation might result in lower disease-free survival. Therefore, we investigated the long-term outcomes of stenting as a bridge to surgery in these patients, with emphasis on clinical success of the stenting procedure.

Methods:

We performed a comparative study in the Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, The Netherlands. Data were collected from patients who underwent colonic stenting procedures or acute surgical resection due to malignant obstruction performed between 2007 and 2015. Patients treated with palliative intent were excluded.

Results:

We included 92 patients, 66 underwent stent placement and 26 had an acute surgical resection. Technical and clinical success rates of the stenting procedures were 94% and 82%, respectively. No significant differences in demographic, tumor or stenting characteristics were found for patients with clinically (un)successful stent placement or stent-related perforations. Patients with unsuccessful stent procedures or perforation had higher rates of open procedures and rescue colostomy. Survival rates were similar for patients who underwent stent placements compared with acute resection. We found no significant differences in survival between patients with successful compared with unsuccessful procedures or perforation.

Conclusions:

Survival rates of patients who underwent colonic stenting are similar to those of patients who had an acute resection. No negative effects on survival were observed for clinically failed stenting procedures or stent-related perforations.
Toward an artificial endothelium: Development of blood-compatible surfaces for extracorporeal life support
Authors: Roberts Teryn R. , Garren Mark R.S. , Handa Hitesh , Batchinsky Andriy I.
Published: April 2020

A new generation of extracorporeal artificial organ support technologies, collectively known as extracorporeal life support (ECLS) devices, is being developed for diverse applications to include acute support for trauma-induced organ failure, transitional support for bridge to organ transplant, and terminal support for chronic diseases. Across applications, one significant complication limits the use of these life-saving devices: thrombosis, bleeding, and inflammation caused by foreign surface–induced blood interactions. To address this challenge, transdisciplinary scientists and clinicians look to the vascular endothelium as inspiration for development of new biocompatible materials for ECLS. Here, we describe clinically approved and new investigational biomaterial solutions for thrombosis, such as immobilized heparin, nitric oxide-functionalized polymers, “slippery” nonadhesive coatings, and surface endothelialization. We describe how hemocompatible materials could abrogate the use of anticoagulant drugs during ECLS and by doing so radically change treatments in critical care. Additionally, we examine several special considerations for the design of biomaterials for ECLS, including: (1) preserving function of the artificial organ, (2) longevity of use, and (3) multifaceted approaches for the diversity of device functions and applications.