Anti-Leishmania activity of new ruthenium(II) complexes: Effect on parasite-host interaction.

Abstract: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. The many complications presented by the current treatment - including high toxicity, high cost and parasite resistance - make the development of new therapeutic agents indispensable. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-Leishmania potential of new ruthenium(II) complexes, cis‑[RuII(η2-O2CR)(dppm)2]PF6, with dppm=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and R=4-butylbenzoate (bbato) 1, 4-(methylthio)benzoate (mtbato) 2 and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoate (hmxbato) 3, in promastigote cytotoxicity and their effect on parasite-host interaction. The cytotoxicity of complexes was analyzed by MTT assay against Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum promastigotes and the murine macrophage (RAW 264.7). The effect of complexes on parasite-host interaction was evaluated by in vitro infectivity assay performed in the presence of two different concentrations of each complex: the promastigote IC50 value and the concentration nontoxic to 90% of RAW 264.7 macrophages. Complexes 1-3 exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against all Leishmania species assayed. The IC50 values ranged from 7.52-12.59μM (complex 1); 0.70-3.28μM (complex 2) and 0.52-1.75μM (complex 3). All complexes significantly inhibited the infectivity index at both tested concentrations. The infectivity inhibitions ranged from 37 to 85%. Interestingly, the infectivity inhibitions due to complex action did not differ significantly at either of the tested concentrations, except for the complex 1 against Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. The infectivity inhibitions resulted from reductions in both percentage of infected macrophages and number of parasites per macrophage. Taken together the results suggest remarkable leishmanicidal activity in vitro by these new ruthenium(II) complexes.

Costa|Mônica S|MS|
Gonçalves|Yasmim G|YG|
Nunes|Débora C O|DCO|
Napolitano|Danielle R|DR|
Maia|Pedro I S|PIS|
Rodrigues|Renata S|RS|
Rodrigues|Veridiana M|VM|
Von Poelhsitz|Gustavo|G|
Yoneyama|Kelly A G|KAG|

Ruthenium(II) complexes
Leishmania
Cytotoxicity
Infectivity inhibition


Medical Conditions and Demographic, Service and Clinical Factors Associated with Atypical Antipsychotic Medication Use Among Children with An Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract: This study aimed to describe rates of antipsychotic medication use and the association between their use and demographics, clinical variables, and the use of behavioral/education services among children with ASD. For children with ASD ages 2-11 (n = 4749) and those 12-17 (n = 401), 5.4 and 17.7% were prescribed at least one atypical antipsychotic medication respectively. In the multivariable model of young children, older age, use of multiple psychotropic medications, prior ASD diagnosis, non-white Hispanic race/ethnicity, and oppositional defiant problems were associated with antipsychotic use. Among older children, only older age was associated with antipsychotic use. In at least one age group, antipsychotic medication use was also related to behaviour, family and occupational therapy, public insurance, site region, externalizing problems, body mass index, and sleep and gastrointestinal problems.

Lake|Johanna K|JK|
Denton|Danica|D|
Lunsky|Yona|Y|
Shui|Amy M|AM|
Veenstra-VanderWeele|Jeremy|J|
Anagnostou|Evdokia|E|

D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Atypical antipsychotic medication
Children
Autism spectrum disorder


Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants versus Vitamin K Antagonists for People Aged 75 Years and over with Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Observational Studies.

Abstract: Older people, are underrepresented in randomised controlled trials of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to combine data from observational studies to provide evidence for the treatment of people aged ≥75 years. Medline, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched. The primary effectiveness outcome was ischaemic stroke. Safety outcomes were major bleeding, intracranial haemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, myocardial infarction, and mortality. Twenty-two studies were eligible for inclusion. Two studies related specifically to people ≥75 years but were excluded from meta-analysis due to low quality; all data in the meta-analyses were from subgroups. The pooled risk estimate of ischaemic stroke was slightly lower for DOACs. There was no significant difference in major bleeding, mortality, or myocardial infarction. Risk of intracranial haemorrhage was 44% lower with DOACs, but risk of GI bleeding was 46% higher. Our results suggest that DOACs may be preferable for the majority of older patients with AF, provided they are not at significant risk of a GI bleed. However, these results are based entirely on data from subgroup analyses so should be interpreted cautiously. There is a need for adequately powered research in this patient group.

anticoagulants
aged
atrial fibrillation
stroke
hemorrhage


Foot function and strength of patients with diabetes grouped by ulcer risk classification (IWGDF).

Abstract:
Background
The stratification system from the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) was used to classify the participants as to the ulcer risk. However, it is not yet known what the classification groups' individual deficits are regarding sensitivity, function, and musculoskeletal properties and mechanics. This makes it difficult to design proper ulcer prevention strategies for patients. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the foot function, foot strength and health of people with diabetes mellitus (DM)-with or without DPN-while considering the different ulcer risk classifications determined by the IWGDF.

Methods
The subject pool comprised 72 people with DM, with and without DPN. The patients were divided into three groups: Group 0 (G0), which comprised diabetic patients without DPN; Group 1 (G1), which comprised patients with DPN; and Group 2 (G2), which comprised patients with DPN who had foot deformities. The health and foot function of the subjects' feet were assessed using a foot health status questionnaire (FHSQ-BR) that investigated four domains: foot pain, foot function, footwear, and general foot health. The patients' foot strength was evaluated using the maximum force under each subject's hallux and toes on a pressure platform (emed q-100, Novel, Munich, Germany).

Results
Moderate differences were found between G0 and G1 and G2 for the foot pain, foot function, general foot health, and footwear. There was also a small but significant difference between G0 and G2 in regards to hallux strength.

Conclusion
Foot health, foot function and strength levels of people with DM and DPN classified by the ulcer risk are different and this must be taken into account when evaluating and developing treatment strategies for these patients.

Ulcer
Diabetic foot
Diabetic neuropathies
Muscle weakness


Temporal Changes in Kidney Stone Composition and in Risk Factors Predisposing to Stone Formation.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
The prevalence of kidney stones has increased globally in recent decades. However, studies investigating the association between temporal changes in the risk of stone formation and stone types are scarce. We investigated temporal changes in stone composition, and demographic, serum and urinary parameters of kidney stone formers from 1980 to 2015.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the records of 1,516 patients diagnosed with either calcium or uric acid stones at an initial visit to a university kidney stone clinic from 1980 to 2015.

RESULTS
From 1980 to 2015, the proportion of uric acid stones in all stone formers increased from 7% to 14%. While age and body mass index increased with time in both uric acid and calcium stone formers, uric acid stone formers were consistently older and had a higher body mass index and lower urinary pH than calcium stone formers. The proportion of females with stones has increased over time but the increase in female gender was more prominent among calcium stone formers. Urinary pH, phosphorus, oxalate and sodium increased with time in calcium stone formers but remained unchanged in uric acid stone formers. After accounting for various parameters of stone risk, the strongest clinical discriminant of uric acid vs calcium stones was urinary pH. Limitations of this study include the retrospective single center design and the available number of patients with stone analysis.

CONCLUSIONS
From 1980 to 2015, the proportion of uric acid stones increased significantly. With time, there were proportionately more female calcium stone formers but not uric acid stone formers. Urinary pH is the most prominent factor distinguishing uric acid from calcium stones.

Xu|Li Hao Richie|LHR|
Adams-Huet|Beverley|B|
Poindexter|John R|JR|
Maalouf|Naim M|NM|
Moe|Orson W|OW|
Sakhaee|Khashayar|K|

calcium
uric acid
hydrogen-ion concentration
kidney calculi
urine


Wnt-induced deubiquitination FoxM1 ensures nucleus β-catenin transactivation.

Abstract: A key step of Wnt signaling activation is the recruitment of β-catenin to the Wnt target-gene promoter in the nucleus, but its mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we identified FoxM1 as a novel target of Wnt signaling, which is essential for β-catenin/TCF4 transactivation. GSK3 phosphorylates FoxM1 on serine 474 which induces FoxM1 ubiquitination mediated by FBXW7. Wnt signaling activation inhibits FoxM1 phosphorylation by GSK3-Axin complex and leads to interaction between FoxM1 and deubiquitinating enzyme USP5, thereby deubiquitination and stabilization of FoxM1. FoxM1 accumulation in the nucleus promotes recruitment of β-catenin to Wnt target-gene promoter and activates the Wnt signaling pathway by protecting the β-catenin/TCF4 complex from ICAT inhibition. Subsequently, the USP5-FoxM1 axis abolishes the inhibitory effect of ICAT and is required for Wnt-mediated tumor cell proliferation. Therefore, Wnt-induced deubiquitination of FoxM1 represents a novel and critical mechanism for controlling canonical Wnt signaling and cell proliferation.

Chen|Yaohui|Y|
Li|Yu|Y|
Xue|Jianfei|J|
Gong|Aihua|A|
Yu|Guanzhen|G|
Zhou|Aidong|A|
Lin|Kangyu|K|
Zhang|Sicong|S|
Zhang|Nu|N|
Gottardi|Cara J|CJ|
Huang|Suyun|S|

D002460:Cell Line
D010450:Endopeptidases
D000072278:Forkhead Box Protein M1
D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors
D005786:Gene Expression Regulation
D006801:Humans
D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D054875:Ubiquitination
D051153:Wnt Proteins
D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway
D051176:beta Catenin


Genomic Signatures of Coevolution between Nonmodel Mammals and Parasitic Roundworms.

Abstract: Antagonistic coevolution between host and parasite drives species evolution. However, most of the studies only focus on parasitism adaptation and do not explore the coevolution mechanisms from the perspective of both host and parasite. Here, through the de novo sequencing and assembly of the genomes of giant panda roundworm, red panda roundworm, and lion roundworm parasitic on tiger, we investigated the genomic mechanisms of coevolution between nonmodel mammals and their parasitic roundworms and those of roundworm parasitism in general. The genome-wide phylogeny revealed that these parasitic roundworms have not phylogenetically coevolved with their hosts. The CTSZ and prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit beta (P4HB) immunoregulatory proteins played a central role in protein interaction between mammals and parasitic roundworms. The gene tree comparison identified that seven pairs of interactive proteins had consistent phylogenetic topology, suggesting their coevolution during host-parasite interaction. These coevolutionary proteins were particularly relevant to immune response. In addition, we found that the roundworms of both pandas exhibited higher proportions of metallopeptidase genes, and some positively selected genes were highly related to their larvae's fast development. Our findings provide novel insights into the genetic mechanisms of coevolution between nonmodel mammals and parasites and offer the valuable genomic resources for scientific ascariasis prevention in both pandas.

Hu|Yibo|Y| Yu|Lijun|L| Fan|Huizhong|H| Huang|Guangping|G| Wu|Qi|Q| Nie|Yonggang|Y| Liu|Shuai|S| Yan|Li|L| Wei|Fuwen|F|

coevolution
parasitism
pandas
comparative genomics


A Study of 3CLpros as Promising Targets against SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), results in serious chaos all over the world. In addition to the available vaccines, the development of treatments to cure COVID-19 should be done quickly. One of the fastest strategies is to use a drug-repurposing approach. To provide COVID-19 patients with useful information about medicines currently being used in clinical trials, twenty-four compounds, including antiviral agents, were selected and assayed. These compounds were applied to verify the inhibitory activity for the protein function of 3CLpros (main proteases) of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Among them, viral reverse-transcriptase inhibitors abacavir and tenofovir revealed a good inhibitory effect on both 3CLpros. Intriguingly, sildenafil, a cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor also showed significant inhibitory function against them. The in silico docking study suggests that the active-site residues located in the S1 and S2 sites play key roles in the interactions with the inhibitors. The result indicates that 3CLpros are promising targets to cope with SAR-CoV-2 and its variants. The information can be helpful to design treatments to cure patients with COVID-19.

Jo|Seri|S|
Kim|Suwon|S|
Yoo|Jahyun|J|
Kim|Mi-Sun|MS|
Shin|Dong Hae|DH|

antiviral
FRET
SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease
drug repurposing
inhibitory compounds


Preserved retinotopic brain connectivity in macular degeneration.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
The eye disease macular degeneration (MD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. There is no cure for MD, but several promising treatments aimed at restoring vision at the level of the retina are currently under investigation. These treatments assume that the patient's brain can still process appropriately the retinal input once it is restored, but whether this assumption is correct has yet to be determined.

METHODS
We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and connective field modelling to determine whether the functional connectivity between the input-deprived portions of primary visual cortex (V1) and early extrastriate areas (V2/3) is still retinotopically organised. Specifically, in both patients with juvenile macular degeneration and age-matched controls with simulated retinal lesions, we assessed the extent to which the V1-referred connective fields of extrastriate voxels, as estimated on the basis of spontaneous fMRI signal fluctuations, adhered to retinotopic organisation.

RESULTS
We found that functional connectivity between the input-deprived portions of visual areas V1 and extrastriate cortex is still largely retinotopically organised in MD, although on average less so than in controls. Patients with stable fixation exhibited normal retinotopic connectivity, however, suggesting that for the patients with unstable fixation, eye-movements resulted in spurious, homogeneous signal modulations across the entire input-deprived cortex, which would have hampered our ability to assess their spatial structure of connectivity.

CONCLUSIONS
Despite the prolonged loss of visual input due to MD, the cortico-cortical connections of input-deprived visual cortex remain largely intact. This suggests that the restoration of sight in macular degeneration can rely on a largely unchanged retinotopic representation in early visual cortex following loss of central retinal function.

Haak|Koen V|KV|
Morland|Antony B|AB|
Rubin|Gary S|GS|
Cornelissen|Frans W|FW|

macular degeneration
fMRI
connective field modelling
cortical lesion projection zone
retinotopy


Rhizosphere Microbial Communities and Heavy Metals.

Abstract: The rhizosphere is a microhabitat where there is an intense chemical dialogue between plants and microorganisms. The two coexist and develop synergistic actions, which can promote plants' functions and productivity, but also their capacity to respond to stress conditions, including heavy metal (HM) contamination. If HMs are present in soils used for agriculture, there is a risk of metal uptake by edible plants with subsequent bioaccumulation in humans and animals and detrimental consequences for their health. Plant productivity can also be negatively affected. Many bacteria have defensive mechanisms for resisting heavy metals and, through various complex processes, can improve plant response to HM stress. Bacteria-plant synergic interactions in the rhizosphere, as a homeostatic ecosystem response to HM disturbance, are common in soil. However, this is hard to achieve in agroecosystems managed with traditional practices, because concentrating on maximizing crop yield does not make it possible to establish rhizosphere interactions. Improving knowledge of the complex interactions mediated by plant exudates and secondary metabolites can lead to nature-based solutions for plant health in HM contaminated soils. This paper reports the main ecotoxicological effects of HMs and the various compounds (including several secondary metabolites) produced by plant-microorganism holobionts for removing, immobilizing and containing toxic elements.

chemical dialogue
plants
exudates
secondary metabolites
holobiont
hologenome
metaorganism
microbiome
prokaryotic communities
stress response


Liposomes coated with hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose: Influence of hydrophobic chain length and degree of modification.

Abstract: Nanoparticulate systems with an uncharged hydrophilic surface may have a great potential in mucosal drug delivery. In the present study liposomes were coated with hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (HM-HEC) to create a sterically stabilized liposomal system with an uncharged surface. The aim was to clarify the influence of the amount of hydrophobic modification of HEC and the length of the hydrophobic moiety, on the stability of the system and on the release properties. HM-HEC with different degrees of hydrophobic modification (1 and 2mol%) and hydrophobic groups with different chain lengths (C8, C12, C16) were included in the study, as well as fluid phase and gel phase liposomes. Both types of liposomes were successfully coated with HM-HEC containing 1mol% of hydrophobic groups, while 2mol% did not work for the intended pharmaceutical applications. The polymer coated gel phase liposomes were stable (size, zeta potential, leakage) for 24 weeks at 4°C, with no differences between the C8 and C16 HM-HEC coating. For the fluid phase liposomes a size increase was observed after 24 weeks at 4°C for all formulations; the C8 HM-HEC coated liposomes increased the most. No differences in the leakage during storage at 4°C or in the release at 35°C were observed between the fluid phase formulations. To conclude; HM-HEC with a shorter hydrophobic chain length resulted in a less stable product for the fluid phase liposomes, while no influence of the chain length was observed for the gel phase liposomes (1mol% HM).

Smistad|Gro|G|
Nyström|Bo|B|
Zhu|Kaizheng|K|
Grønvold|Marthe Karoline|MK|
Røv-Johnsen|Anne|A|
Hiorth|Marianne|M|

D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

Liposome
Coating
Hydrophobically modified
Hydroxyethyl cellulose
Phospholipid vesicles


Identification of novel and selective agonists for ABA receptor PYL3.

Abstract: Abscisic acid (ABA) although complicated and expensive to produce, plays an important role in signalling responsible for regulation of developmental manifestations such as seed maturation and surviving through stress conditions. Hence, development of cost effective molecules with minimal side effects that mimic the functions of ABA is the need of the hour. In this agreement, we screened a series of 27 in-house synthesized 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-one molecules over three ABA receptors (PYR1, PYL1, and PYL3). The commercial ABA agonist Pyrabactin was taken as a standard ligand in this study. The top three molecules for each receptor were selected and further evaluated to estimate the dynamical contribution and complex stability via Molecular Mechanics-Poisson Boltzmann surface area calculations. Two molecules (Mol26 and Mol25) showed higher binding free energy and stable complex conformation for PYL3 in comparison to Pyrabactin. This study revealed the structural basis of the binding mechanism of 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-one molecules with ABA receptors. Mol26 and Mol25 were identified for the development of specific PYL3 agonists with a vast potential in agriculture to accentuate the ABA like action in plants.

Singh|Rahul|R|
Bhardwaj|Vijay Kumar|VK|
Sharma|Jatin|J|
Purohit|Rituraj|R|


Is a "Good Death" at the Time of Animal Slaughter an Essentially Contested Concept?

Abstract: The phrase "essentially contested concept" (ECC) entered the academic literature in 1956 in an attempt to better characterize certain contentious concepts of political theory. Commonly identified examples of contested concepts are morality, religion, democracy, science, nature, philosophy, and certain types of creative products such as the novel and art. The structure proposed to identify an ECC has proven useful in a wide variety of deliberative discourse in the social, political, and religious arenas where seemingly intractable but productive debates are found. Where a strongly held moral position is contradicted by law, a portion of the citizenry see the law as illegitimate and do not feel compelled to respect it. This paper will attempt to apply the analytic structure of ECC to the concept of animal wellbeing at the time of slaughter specifically a "good death." The results of this analysis supports an understanding that the current slaughter debate is a disagreement in moral belief and normative moral theory. The parties to the dispute have differing visions of the "good." The method of slaughter is not an essentially contested concept where further discourse is likely to result in a negotiated resolution. The position statements of veterinary organizations are used as an example of current discourse.

essentially contested concept
Dhabīḥah
Shechita
animal ethics
food ethics
humane slaughter
religious freedom
veterinary ethics


Food safety considerations for commercial complementary foods from global operational guidance on infant and young child feeding in emergencies.

Abstract: The use of commercial complementary food (CCF) in humanitarian emergencies is an emerging topic in nutrition policy. Food safety guidance is helpful for the prevention of foodborne illnesses in infants and young children, but whether current global operational guidance on infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E) adequately addresses food safety for CCF in humanitarian emergencies is unknown. The aim of this review was to identify and synthesize available food safety guidance on the use of CCF in humanitarian emergencies. A narrative review that included a systematic content analysis and thematic synthesis of global operational guidance on IYCF-E was conducted. Fourteen global guidance documents were selected. Forty-nine excerpts specific to CCF were identified, of which 10 (20%) were rated as relevant to the prevention of foodborne illness. Assessment of inter-rater reliability showed 80% agreement, with a Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) of 0.52 (moderate agreement). Content was synthesized in 3 themes: donations of CCF, quality assurance and quality control, and water, sanitation, and hygiene principles. Little salient guidance for the safe use of CCF in emergencies was identified. Global operational guidance on IYCF-E should be updated by incorporating food safety considerations for the use of CCF.

Theurich|Melissa A|MA|
Humphreys|Alexandra L|AL|
Gosselin|Lori B|LB|
McCool-Myers|Megan E|ME|

D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena


Nebulized ketamine decreases incidence and severity of post-operative sore throat.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Post-operative sore throat (POST) occurs in 21-65% of patients. Ketamine used earlier as gargle for reducing POST has limitations. The aim of this study was to see if nebulised ketamine reduces POST.

METHODS
We conducted a prospective, randomised, placebo-control, and double-blind controlled trial. After written informed consent, 100 patients belonging to American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status I-II in the age group 20-60 years, of either sex undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia (GA) were enrolled. Patients were randomised into two groups; group saline (S) received saline nebulisation 5.0 ml and group ketamine (K) received ketamine 50 mg (1.0 ml) with 4.0 ml of saline nebulisation for 15 min. GA was induced 10 min after completion of nebulisation in the patients. The POST and haemodynamic monitoring were done pre-nebulization, pre-induction, on reaching post-anaesthesia care unit, and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h post-operatively. POST was graded on a four-point scale (0-3).

RESULTS
The overall incidence of POST was 33%; 23 patients (46%) in saline and 10 patients (20%) in ketamine group experienced POST (Fisher's exact P = 0.01). The use of ketamine nebulization attenuated POST at 2 h and 4 h post-operatively (P < 0.05). The primary outcome was incidence of POST at 4 h; 13 patients in group S versus 4 patients in group K (P = 0.03) experienced POST at 4 h. The moderate sore throat occurred in 6 patients in group S and none in group K at 2 h, post-operatively (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION
Ketamine nebulization significantly attenuated the incidence and severity of POST, especially in the early post-operative period, with no adverse effects.

nebulization
Ketamine
post-operative sore throat
tracheal intubation


Photoconversion of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of hydrazine with AgNPs-TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by the sol-gel method.

Abstract: The photocatalytic properties of functionalized TiO2 with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for the conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of hydrazine were investigated. The TiO2 semiconductor synthesized by the sol-gel method was functionalized with AgNPs at different loadings, and their structural and optical properties were characterized by several techniques. The functionalized TiO2 with 1.5wt% AgNPs presented the highest photocatalytic activity for the conversion of 4-nitrophenol with appropriate hydrazine concentrations (0.5M). The photoefficiency enhancement under UV light irradiation was attributed to the electron transfer from the TiO2 semiconductor surface to the adsorbed acceptor reactant (4-nitrophenol) through the deposited AgNPs.

Hernández-Gordillo|Agileo|A| Arroyo|Missael|M| Zanella|R|R| Rodríguez-González|V|V|

4-Nitrophenol photoconversion
AgNPs photoactivity
Hydrazine reactant
TiO(2) sol–gel


The Role of Placental Membrane Allografts in the Surgical Treatment of Tendinopathies.

Abstract: Placental membrane grafts have long been used in the realms of wound care and ophthalmology to assist in the healing cascade. Recently, surgeons have started to implant placental membrane grafts in a wide variety of foot and ankle surgeries to take advantage of their many touted benefits. The application of placental membrane grafts for cases of lower extremity tendinopathy is detailed in this article.

Ang|Joel|J|
Liou|Chih-Kang David|CD|
Schneider|Harry P|HP|

Tendinopathy
Placental membrane graft
Amniotic graft
Tendon repair


Long-term risk of tuberculosis among migrants according to migrant status: a cohort study.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The majority of tuberculosis (TB) cases in low-incidence countries occur in migrants. Only few studies have assessed the long-term TB risk in migrants after immigration, and datasets have not considered this across a range of diverse migrant groups. This nationwide study aimed to investigate long-term TB risk among migrants according to migrant status and region of origin.

METHODS
This cohort study included all migrants aged  ≥ 18 years who obtained residence in Denmark from 1993 to 2015, with a mean follow-up of 10.8 years [standard deviation (SD) 7.3]. Migrants were categorized based on legal status of residence and region of origin. Incidence rates (IR) and rate ratios (IRR) were estimated by Poisson regression.

RESULTS
A total of 142 314 migrants were included. Across all migrants, the TB risk was highest during year 1 of residence (IR 275/100 000 person-years; 95% CI 249-305) followed by a gradual decline, though TB risk remained high for over a decade. Compared with the Danish-born population, the IRRs after 7-8 years were particularly higher among former asylum seekers (IRR 31; 95% CI 20-46), quota refugees (IRR 31; 95% CI 16-71), and family-reunified with refugees (IRR 22; 95% CI 12-44). Sub-Saharan African migrants also experienced elevated risk (IRR 75; 95% CI 51-109). The proportion of migrants with pulmonary TB was 52.4%.

CONCLUSION
All migrant groups experienced an initial high TB risk, but long-term risk remained high in key migrant groups. Most European countries focus TB screening on or soon after arrival. Our study suggests that approaches to TB screening should be adapted, with migrant populations benefiting from long-term access to preventive health services.

Kristensen|Kristina Langholz|KL|
Ravn|Pernille|P|
Petersen|Joergen Holm|JH|
Hargreaves|Sally|S|
Nellums|Laura B|LB|
Friedland|Jon S|JS|
Andersen|Peter Henrik|PH|
Norredam|Marie|M|
Lillebaek|Troels|T|

long-term risk
Tuberculosis
migrant
immigration
asylum seekers
refugees


Identification of mature peptides from pban and capa genes of the moths Heliothis peltigera and Spodoptera littoralis.

Abstract: By transcriptome analysis, we identified PBAN and CAPA precursors in the moths Spodoptera littoralis and Heliothis peltigera which are among the most damaging pests of agriculture in tropical and subtropical Africa as well as in Mediterranean countries. A combination of mass spectrometry and immunocytochemistry was used to identify mature peptides processed from these precursors and to reveal their spatial distribution in the CNS. We found that the sites of expression of pban genes, the structure of PBAN precursors and the processed neuropeptides are very similar in noctuid moths. The sequence of the diapause hormone (DH; tryptopyrokinin following the signal peptide), however, contains two N-terminal amino acids more than expected from comparison with already published sequences of related species. Capa genes of S. littoralis and H. peltigera encode, in addition to periviscerokinins, a tryptopyrokinin showing sequence similarity with DH, which is the tryptopyrokinin of the pban gene. CAPA peptides, which were not known from any noctuid moth so far, are produced in cells of abdominal ganglia. The shape of the release sites of these hormones in H. peltigera represents an exceptionally derived trait state and does not resemble the well-structured abdominal perisympathetic organs which are known from many other insects. Instead, axons of CAPA cells extensively ramify within the ventral diaphragm. The novel information regarding the sequences of all mature peptides derived from pban and capa genes of H. peltigera and S. littoralis now enables a detailed analysis of the bioactivity and species-specificity of the native peptides, especially those from the hitherto unknown capa genes, and to explore their interactions with PBAN/DH receptors.

Ragionieri|Lapo|L| Özbagci|Burak|B| Neupert|Susanne|S| Salts|Yuval|Y| Davidovitch|Michael|M| Altstein|Miriam|M| Predel|Reinhard|R|

Transcriptome
Mass spectrometry
Immunocytochemistry
Insect neuropeptide
Mimetics
Pyrokinin


Reward-system effect (BAS rating), left hemispheric "unbalance" (alpha band oscillations) and decisional impairments in drug addiction.

Abstract: The current research explored the impact of cortical frontal asymmetry (left-lateralization effect) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS) on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in decisional processes using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Forty SUD participants and forty-two controls (CG) were tested using the IGT. Behavioral responses (gain/loss options), BIS/BAS scores and lateralized alpha band modulation (LTA) were considered. The SUD group increased the tendency to opt in favor of the immediate reward (loss strategy) more than the long-term option (win strategy) compared to the CG. Secondly, higher reward-subscale scores were observed in SUD. Thirdly, SUD showed an increase in left-hemisphere activation in response to losing (with immediate reward) choices in comparison with the CG. An imbalanced left hemispheric effect related to higher BAS trait could explain this "reward bias," because these components were found to explain (through the regression analysis) the main behavioral deficits.

BAS
Iowa Gambling Task
Alpha brain oscillations
Drug-addition
Left lateralization effect
Reward mechanism


The Spontaneous Regression of Grade 3 Methotrexate-related Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Abstract: Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) is a rare lung disorder diagnosed by radiological imaging of multiple pulmonary nodules and occasionally induced by methotrexate (MTX) use. To date, the treatment of LYG has not been standardized. We herein report the case of a patient with grade 3 MTX-related LYG who presented a bulky lung mass. Importantly, the disease condition only improved after the discontinuation of MTX and remained stable for more than 1 year. Chest physicians should be aware that LYG can develop as a single lung mass and spontaneously regress, even without aggressive chemotherapy, following the cessation of MTX.

Aiko|Naoto|N| Sekine|Akimasa|A| Umeda|Shigeaki|S| Katano|Takuma|T| Matama|Goshi|G| Isomoto|Kohsuke|K| Otoshi|Ryota|R| Ogura|Takashi|T|

lymphomatoid granulomatosis
methotrexate
rheumatoid arthritis


Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio: A new inflammatory marker for the diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is closely related with maternal and fetal complications. Therefore, early diagnosis is extremely important to provide maternal and fetal well-being. Many inflammatory markers have been evaluated for their ability to diagnose membrane rupture at early stages. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and preterm premature membrane rupture.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this study, 121 pregnant women with PPROM and 96 age-matched pregnant women with spontaneous preterm labor who were admitted to our hospital between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled. Demographic data, complete blood cell count results, and neonatal outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS
The neutrophil and platelet counts were higher in the PPROM group (9948.4±3393.2 vs. 7466.1±1698.5/mm3 and 244.5±60 vs. 210.6±64.8/mm3, respectively, p<0.001). The PLR and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) were both significantly higher in the PPROM group (p<0.001). Correlation analysis revealed that the PLR was positively correlated with the NLR (r=0.10, p=0.031). The ability of the PLR to diagnose preterm premature rupture of membranes was evaluated using an ROC curve. The sensitivity and specificity of the PLR was 57.8% and 73.7%, respectively, at a threshold >117.14 (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION
The PLR might be a cost effective, easy to use, and practical marker for the early diagnosis of PPROM, which can help to determine the appropriate waiting time for delivery and provide maternal and fetal well-being.

Toprak|Erzat|E|
Bozkurt|Murat|M|
Dinçgez Çakmak|Burcu|B|
Özçimen|Emel Ebru|EE|
Silahlı|Musa|M|
Ender Yumru|Ayşe|A|
Çalışkan|Eray|E|

platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio preterm premature rupture of membranes.


Acetazolamide for high intracranial pressure cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Acetazolamide has become a standard treatment for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks associated with intracranial hypertension. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acetazolamide at decreasing elevated CSF pressure in this patient population.

METHODS
Prospective evaluation and data collection of high intracranial pressure CSF leaks was performed. Subjects underwent CSF diversion and postoperative assessment of pressure changes via a standard protocol. Lumbar drains or ventriculostomies were clamped on postoperative day 2 for 4 hours prior to assessment with a manometer. Acetazolamide (500 mg) was administered orally immediately following the recording and CSF pressure was measured after 4 hours. Data regarding demographics, etiology of CSF leak, body mass index (BMI), location and size of defect, and clinical follow-up were also collected.

RESULTS
Thirty-six patients (average age 50 years) with 42 CSF leaks (39 spontaneous, 3 traumatic) and an average BMI of 36.1 were evaluated. Success rate of primary repair was 94.4%, but all patients were effectively sealed with subsequent endoscopic reconstruction (average 80 weeks follow-up). Intracranial pressure (cm H2 O) via lumbar puncture or ventriculostomy (n = 2) after clamping was 32.0 ± 7.4. Administration of acetazolamide significantly decreased intracranial pressure to 21.9 ± 7.5 in the 4-6 hour time frame studied (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION
This study provides some of the first direct evidence of decreased intracranial pressure associated with the oral administration of acetazolamide. In combination with the excellent endoscopic repair outcomes noted in a high risk population, this evidence supports the routine use of acetazolamide in patients with high intracranial pressure CSF leaks.

Chaaban|Mohamad R|MR|
Illing|Elisa|E|
Riley|Kristen O|KO|
Woodworth|Bradford A|BA|

acetazolamide
cerebrospinal fluid leak
intracranial hypertension
spontaneous
CSF leak repair
CSF rhinorrhea
encephalocele
endoscopic sinus surgery
pseudotumor cerebri
skull base defect


Effect of anemia correction on left ventricular structure and filling pressure in anemic patients without overt heart disease.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS
There are few data on the effects of low hemoglobin levels on the left ventricle (LV) in patients without heart disease. The objective of this study was to document changes in the echocardiographic variables of LV structure and function after the correction of anemia without significant cardiovascular disease.

METHODS
In total, 34 iron-deficiency anemia patients (35 ± 11 years old, 32 females) without traditional cardiovascular risk factors or cardiovascular disease and 34 age- and gender-matched controls were studied. Assessments included history, physical examination, and echocardiography. Of the 34 patients with anemia enrolled, 20 were followed and underwent echocardiography after correction of the anemia.

RESULTS
There were significant differences between the anemia and control groups in LV diameter, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left atrial volume index (LAVI), peak mitral early diastolic (E) velocity, peak mitral late diastolic (A) velocity, E/A ratio, the ratio of mitral to mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/E'), stroke volume, and cardiac index. Twenty patients underwent follow-up echocardiography after treatment of anemia. The follow-up results showed significant decreases in the LV end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters and LVMI, compared with baseline levels. LAVI, E velocity, and E/E' also decreased, suggesting a decrease in LV filling pressure.

CONCLUSIONS
Low hemoglobin level was associated with larger cardiac chambers, increased LV, mass and higher LV filling pressure even in the subjects without cardiovascular risk factors or overt cardiovascular disease. Appropriate correction of anemia decreased LV mass, LA volume, and E/E'.

Cho|In-Jeong|IJ|
Mun|Yeung Chul|YC|
Kwon|Ki Hwan|KH|
Shin|Gil Ja|GJ|


Effects of Bisphenol A and 4-tert-Octylphenol on Embryo Implantation Failure in Mouse.

Abstract: Miscarriage due to blastocyst implantation failure occurs in up to two-thirds of all human miscarriage cases. Calcium ion has been shown to be involved in many cellular signal transduction pathways as well as in the regulation of cell adhesion, which is necessary for the embryo implantation process. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDs) during early gestation results in disruption of intrauterine implantation and uterine reception, leading to implantation failure. In this study, ovarian estrogen (E2), bisphenol A (BPA), or 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), with or without ICI 182,780 (ICI) were injected subcutaneously from gestation day 1 to gestation day 3 post-coitus. The expression levels of the calcium transport genes were assessed in maternal uteri and implantation sites. The number of implantation sites was significantly low in the OP group, and implantation sites were absent in the E2, ICI and EDs + ICI groups. There were different calcium transient transport channel expression levels in uterus and implantation site samples. The levels of TRPV5 and TRPV6 gene expression were significantly increased by EDs with/without ICI treatment in utero. Meanwhile, TRPV5 and TRPV6 gene expression were significantly lower in implantation sites samples. NCX1 and PMCA1 mRNA levels were significantly decreased by OP and BPA in the implantation site samples. Compared to vehicle treatment in the uterus, both the MUC1 mRNA and protein levels were markedly high in all but the BPA group. Taken together, these results suggest that both BPA and OP can impair embryo implantation through alteration of calcium transport gene expressions and by affecting uterine receptivity.

Tran|Dinh Nam|DN|
Jung|Eui-Man|EM|
Ahn|Changhwan|C|
Lee|Jae-Hwan|JH|
Yoo|Yeong-Min|YM|0000-0003-1732-8494
Jeung|Eui-Bae|EB|0000-0001-8936-916X

D053499:Plasma Membrane Calcium-Transporting ATPases

bisphenol A
4-tert-octylphenol
implantation failure
calcium channel


Induction of highly curved structures in relation to membrane permeabilization and budding by the triterpenoid saponins, α- and δ-Hederin.

Abstract: The interactions of triterpenoid monodesmosidic saponins, α-hederin and δ-hederin, with lipid membranes are involved in their permeabilizing effect. Unfortunately, the interactions of these saponins with lipid membranes are largely unknown, as are the roles of cholesterol or the branched sugar moieties (two for α-hederin and one for δ-hederin) on the aglycone backbone, hederagenin. The differences in sugar moieties are responsible for differences in the molecular shape of the saponins and the effects on membrane curvature that should be the most positive for α-hederin in a transbilayer direction. In large unilamellar vesicles and monocyte cells, we showed that membrane permeabilization was dependent on the presence of membrane cholesterol and saponin sugar chains, being largest for α-hederin and smallest for hederagenin. In the presence of cholesterol, α-hederin induced the formation of nonbilayer phases with a higher rate of Brownian tumbling or lateral diffusion. A reduction of Laurdan's generalized polarization in relation to change in order of the polar heads of phospholipids was observed. Using giant unilamellar vesicles, we visualized the formation of wrinkled borders, the decrease in liposome size, budding, and the formation of macroscopic pores. All these processes are highly dependent on the sugars linked to the aglycone, with α-hederin showing a greater ability to induce pore formation and δ-hederin being more efficient in inducing budding. Hederagenin induced intravesicular budding but no pore formation. Based on these results, a curvature-driven permeabilization mechanism dependent on the interaction between saponin and sterols and on the molecular shape of the saponin and its ability to induce local spontaneous curvature is proposed.

Lorent|Joseph|J|
Le Duff|Cécile S|CS|
Quetin-Leclercq|Joelle|J|
Mingeot-Leclercq|Marie-Paule|MP|

Permeabilization
Saponin
α-Hederin
Curvature
Liposomes
Sterol
Lipid Phase
Membrane Bilayer
Membrane Biophysics
Membrane Lipids


Symptomatic Recurrence of Cervical Spine Myelomeningocele in an Adult Patient.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Cervical myelomeningocele (MMC) is a very rare neural type defect that is usually discovered and managed in childhood. It is best described as a closed type of spinal dysraphism, where the posterior portion of the cervical thecal sac forms a pouch that bulges out through a narrow posterior spina bifida and contains spinal neural tissue with or without cerebrospinal fluid.

CASE DESCRIPTION
We report a 47-year-old male patient who presented with neck pain and decreased ability to use his fingers that had progressed over 3 years before presentation. Cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed a posterior bulge between the spinous processes of C4 and C6, absence of the spinous process of C5, and presence of cerebrospinal fluid and spinal cord tissue and nerve roots within the bulging sac, suggestive of MMC. Simple untethering of the cord tissue was sufficient to halt the progression and allow for improvement in neurological deficits.

CONCLUSION
Cervical MMC is extremely rare in adults, the symptomatic progression of which is most likely because of cord tethering by fibrotic tissue formation over years. Early surgical correction and release of the tethered cord is relatively safe and prevents the evolution of neurological symptoms.

Noureldine|Mohammad Hassan A|MHA|
Peto|Ivo|I|
Jallo|George I|GI|
Agazzi|Siviero|S|

Cervical spine
Myelomeningocele
Adult
Spinal dysraphism
Tethered cord


Dataset on the existence of andisols under aridic-hyperthermic environments in the harrats region of the Arabian Shield.

Abstract: The data from twelve representative soil profiles on six harrats (two profiles from each Harrat) within the Arabian Shield are presented, including full morphological descriptions made during the field the soil survey. A number of selected physicochemical and mineralogical analyses were also conducted in the laboratory and the data were interpreted to examine the possibility of the presence of andic/vitric soil properties in the studied soils, and thus the existence of Andisols in the harrats soils. The existence of andic/vitric properties in soils is not typical of regions characterized by aridic and hyperthermic soil moisture and temperature regimes, respectively, and is probably due to the influence of paleoclimatic conditions. The data is available online for further reuse and to provide a better understanding of the findings linked to this research.

Sulieman|Magboul M|MM|
Sallam|Abdelazeem Sh|AS|
Al-Farraj|Abdullah S|AS|
Brevik|Eric C|EC|

Aridic-hyperthermic environments
Arabian shield
Andic soil properties
Poorly-crystalline minerals
Volcanic soils


A pilot study of Trabajadora de salud, a lay health worker intervention for Latinas/os with traumatic brain injuries and their caregivers.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Latinas/os with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and their caregivers experience worse outcomes than others.

OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to assess the acceptability and promise of Trabajadora de Salud on the functional abilities, hospital readmission, rehabilitation, employment, depression, somatic symptoms, and caregiver burden among Latinas/os with TBIs and their caregivers.

METHODS
A pre-posttest experimental pilot study was conducted. A total of eight Latina/o adult patients (50% female) with mild or moderate TBI and six of their caregivers (66.7% female) were randomized to receive Trabajadora de Salud or a telephone only control group. Trabajadora de Salud, a three-month, in-home intervention administered by bilingual lay health workers, focused on: 1) providing empathy and validation of TBI symptoms, 2) addressing basic needs, 3) goal setting, and 4) improving communication with healthcare providers.

RESULTS
Trabajadora de Salud was widely accepted by patients, caregivers, and health professionals. The functional, depression, and somatic symptoms of the patients as well as the somatic symptoms and caregiver burden of the caregivers improved more for participants in the intervention group than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS
Trabajadora de Salud demonstrated promise in improving outcomes of Latinas/os with TBIs and their caregivers and should be further studied.

Trabajadora
Lay health worker
Traumatic brain injury
Brain injury
Hispanic
Latino


Motor disturbances and thalamic electrical power of frequency bands' improve by grape seed extract in animal model of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies showed that grape seed extract (GSE) is an excellent natural substance with potent antioxidant effect and free radical scavenger. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of GSE on motor dysfunctions and thalamic local Electroencephalography (EEG) frequency bands' powers in rats with Parkinson's disease (PD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this study 8 µg 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) dissolved in 2 µl normal saline containing 0.01% ascorbic acid was infused into right medial forebrain bundle (MFB) to make an animal model of PD. Rats with PD received four weeks GSE (100 mg/kg, p.o.) after apomorphine-induced rotation test. Spontaneous motor tests and also thalamic ventroanterior nucleus (AV) local EEG recording were done in freely moving rats in all groups.

RESULTS
Chronic treatment of PD rats with GSE could influence potentially frequency bands' powers of thalamic VA and improve post-lesion motor dysfunctions significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that GSE modulates the CNS function and has beneficial effects on the direct and indirect striato-thalamo-cortical pathways in PD. GSE acts as a new and potent natural free radical scavenger which removes oxidants produced by neurotoxin 6-OHDA in brain. Therefore, it reinforces electrical power of remained thalamic VA neurons and thereby improves post-lesion motor disorders.

Sarkaki|Alireza|A| Eidypour|Zainab|Z| Motamedi|Freshteh|F| Keramati|Keivan|K| Farbood|Yaghoub|Y|

Thalamic electrical power
Grape seed extract
Parkinson's disease
Rat
6-hydroxydopamine
Motor disorders


Calcium and vitamin D in sarcoidosis: is supplementation safe?

Abstract: Granulomas in sarcoidosis express high levels of 1α-hydroxylase, an enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation of 25-OH vitamin D to its active form, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D. Overproduction of 1α-hydroxylase is held responsible for the development of hypercalcemia in sarcoidosis patients. Corticosteroids are used as first-line treatment in organ-threatening sarcoidosis. In this light, osteoporosis prevention with calcium and vitamin D (CAD) supplementation is often warranted. However, sarcoidosis patients are at risk for hypercalcemia, and CAD supplementation affects the calcium metabolism. We studied calcium and vitamin D disorders in a large cohort of sarcoidosis patients and investigated if CAD supplementation is safe. Retrospectively, data of 301 sarcoidosis patients from July 1986 to June 2009 were analyzed for serum calcium, 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-(OH)D), 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (1,25(OH)2 D), and use of CAD supplementation. Disease activity of sarcoidosis was compared with serum levels of vitamin D. Hypercalcemia occurred in 8%. A significant negative correlation was found between 25-(OH)D and disease activity of sarcoidosis measured by somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. In our study, 5 of the 104 CAD-supplemented patients developed hypercalcemia, but CAD supplementation was not the cause of hypercalcemia. Patients without CAD supplementation were at higher risk for developing hypercalcemia. During CAD supplementation, no hypercalcemia developed as a result of supplementation. Hypovitaminosis D seems to be related with more disease activity of sarcoidosis and, therefore, could be a potential risk factor for disease activity of sarcoidosis. Thus, vitamin D-deficient sarcoidosis patients should be supplemented.

Kamphuis|Lieke S|LS|
Bonte-Mineur|Femke|F|
van Laar|Jan A|JA|
van Hagen|P Martin|PM|
van Daele|Paul L|PL|

D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents

SARCOIDOSIS
25-HYDROXY VITAMIN D
SOMATOSTATIN RECEPTOR SCINTIGRAPHY
CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION


Chemical constituents of Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng explain why they differ in therapeutic efficacy.

Abstract: Panax ginseng (Meyer) and Panax notoginseng (Burkill), belonging to the family Araliaceae, are used worldwide as medicinal and functional herbs. Numerous publications over the past decades have revealed that both P. notoginseng and P. ginseng contain important bioactive ingredients such as ginsenosides and exert multiple pharmacological effects on nervous system and immune diseases. However, based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, their applications clearly differ as ginseng reinforces vital energy and notoginseng promotes blood circulation. In this article, we review the similarities and differences between ginseng and notoginseng in terms of their chemical composition and pharmacological effects. Their chemical comparisons indicate that ginseng contains more polysaccharides and amino acids, while notoginseng has more saponins, volatile oil, and polyacetylenes. Regarding pharmacological effects, ginseng exhibits better protective effects on cardiovascular disease, nerve disease, cancer, and diabetes mellitus, whereas notoginseng displays a superior protective effect on cerebrovascular disease. The evidence presented in this review facilitates further research and clinical applications of these two herbs, and exploration of the relationship between the chemical components and disease efficacy may be the critical next step.

Liu|Hanbing|H| Lu|Xiaoyan|X| Hu|Yang|Y| Fan|Xiaohui|X|

Ginsenoside Rb(1) (PubChem CID: 9898279)

Notoginsenoside R(1) (PubChem CID: 441934)


Minimally Invasive Transsulcal Resection of Intraventricular and Periventricular Lesions Through a Tubular Retractor System: Multicentric Experience and Results.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Conventional approaches to deep-seated cerebral lesions range from biopsy to transcortical or transcallosal resection. Although the former does not reduce tumor burden, the latter are more invasive and associated with greater potential for irreparable injury to normal brain. Disconnection syndrome, hemiparesis, hemianesthesia, or aphasia is not uncommon after such surgery, especially when lesion is large. By contrast, the transsulcal parafascicular approach uses naturally existing corridors and a tubular retractor to minimize brain injury.

METHODS
A retrospective review of patients undergoing minimally invasive transsulcal parafascicular resection of ventricular and periventricular lesions, across 5 independent centers, was conducted.

RESULTS
Twenty patients with lesions located in the lateral ventricle (n = 9), the third ventricle (n = 6) and periventricular region (n = 4) are described in this report. Average age was 64 years (8 male/12 female). The average depth from cortical surface was 4.37 cm. A 13.5-mm-diameter tubular retractor (BrainPath [NICO Corporation, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA]) of differing lengths was used, aided by neuronavigation. Gross total resection was obtained in 17 patients. Pathologies included colloid cyst, subependymoma, glioma, meningioma, central neurocytoma, lymphoma, and metastasis. Three patients experienced transient morbidity: memory loss (2), hemiparesis (1). One patient died 3 months postoperatively as a result of unrelated pulmonary illness. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 27 months (average, 12 months).

CONCLUSIONS
This technique is safe and effective for the treatment of intraventricular and periventricular lesions. Surgery-related morbidity is minimal and often transient. Lesions are satisfactorily resected and residuum occurs only when the neoplasm involves vital structures. The tubular retractor minimizes trauma to brain incident in the surgeon's path.

Eliyas|Javed Khader|JK|
Glynn|Ryan|R|
Kulwin|Charles G|CG|
Rovin|Richard|R|
Young|Ronald|R|
Alzate|Juan|J|
Pradilla|Gustavo|G|
Shah|Mitesh V|MV|
Kassam|Amin|A|
Ciric|Ivan|I|
Bailes|Julian|J|

D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures

Intraventricular tumors
Parafascicular dissection
Transsulcal approach
Tubular retraction system


Recent Advances in Chiral Separation of Antihistamine Drugs: Analytical and Bioanalytical Methods.

Abstract: Chirality is now a key area in the field of research. Researchers are well versed with analytical separations but at the same time, they are unaware of the growth in the field of chiral separation. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) guidelines, it is mandatory to separate chiral drugs before they are marketed. Chiral separation has gained importance in the last 10 years due to the differential biological responses of the enantiomers in chiral environment. Identical physical and chemical properties of the enantiomers pose a major challenge for the separation of chiral compounds. Further, bioanalytical method development is also necessary to throw light on the fate of separated enantiomers in biological environment. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) are the most widely used techniques for such separation. Antihistamines are a class of drugs that are represented by a wide number of chiral compounds. Hence this review focuses on enantioseparation of chiral antihistamine drugs. It begins with a brief discussion about antihistamine drugs, chiral separation and its need for study, followed by a brief overview of the analytical and bio-analytical work carried out on different chiral antihistamine drugs. The analytical and bio-analytical techniques that are used include HPLC, CE and some new techniques.

Raikar|Prachi|P|
Gurupadayya|Bannimath|B|
Koganti|Venkata Sairam|VS|

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)


Death burden of high systolic blood pressure in Sichuan Southwest China 1990-2030.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Hypertension is highly prevalent and is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). While declining in some developed countries, it is increasing rapidly in some developing countries. Sichuan province is the largest and underdeveloped region in southwest China, with 486 thousand square kilometers, more than 80 million residents, unbalanced economic development, and high prevalence, low awareness, low treatment and low control rate of hypertension. We forecasted the death burden due to high systolic blood pressure (SBP) in Sichuan from 1990 to 2030, to raise the awareness of public and government of the importance and benefits of hypertension control.

METHODS
We conducted secondary analysis based on data of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 1990-2015, and predicted the population SBP level, population attributable fraction, and death burden for people aged 30-69 under different scenarios in 2030.

RESULTS
Comparing with natural trend, if the prevalence of high SBP can be reduced relatively by 25% by 2030, the deaths of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs), CVD and CKD would be reduced by 27.1 thousand, 26.2 thousand and 0.8 thousand for people aged 30-69; the mortality would be reduced by 10.8, 32.8 and 16.0%; and the premature mortality would be reduced by 9.9, 32.0 and 16.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
Controlling or decreasing the prevalence of high SBP can significantly reduce the deaths, death rate and premature mortality of NCDs, CVD and CKD for the 30-69 years old population in Sichuan. There would be huge benefits for the governments to take cost-effective measures to control or reduce the prevalence of hypertension.

Wang|Zhuo|Z| Luo|Yu|Y| Yang|Shujuan|S| Zuo|Mingliang|M| Pei|Rong|R| He|Jun|J| Deng|Yin|Y| Zhou|Maigeng|M| Zhao|Li|L| Guo|Hui|H| Zou|Kun|K|

Death burden
High systolic blood pressure
Forecasting
Chronic diseases


School Violence, Depressive Symptoms, and Help-seeking Behavior: A Gender-stratified Analysis of Biethnic Adolescents in South Korea.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
In South Korea (hereafter Korea), the number of adolescent offspring of immigrants has rapidly increased since the early 1990s, mainly due to international marriage. This research sought to examine the association between the experience of school violence and mental health outcomes, and the role of help-seeking behaviors in the association, among biethnic adolescents in Korea.

METHODS
We analyzed cross-sectional data of 3627 biethnic adolescents in Korea from the 2012 National Survey of Multicultural Families. Based on the victim's help-seeking behavior, adolescents who experienced school violence were classified into three groups: 'seeking help' group; 'feeling nothing' group; 'not seeking help' group. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to examine the associations between the experience of school violence and depressive symptoms for males and females separately.

RESULTS
In the gender-stratified analysis, school violence was associated with depressive symptoms in the 'not seeking help' (odds ratio [OR], 7.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.76 to 13.23) and the 'seeking help' group (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.73 to 4.44) among male adolescents after adjusting for potential confounders, including the nationality of the immigrant parent and Korean language fluency. Similar associations were observed in the female groups. However, in the 'feeling nothing' group, the association was only significant for males (OR, 8.34; 95% CI, 2.82 to 24.69), but not females (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.18 to 3.28).

CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that experience of school violence is associated with depressive symptoms and that the role of victims' help-seeking behaviors in the association may differ by gender among biethnic adolescents in Korea.

Kim|Ji-Hwan|JH|
Kim|Ja Young|JY|
Kim|Seung-Sup|SS|

Minority health, Bullying, Depression, Help-seeking behavior, Republic of Korea


Large herbivores facilitate an insect herbivore by modifying plant community composition in a temperate grassland.

Abstract: Large herbivores often co-occur and share plant resources with herbivorous insects in grassland ecosystems; yet, how they interact with each other remains poorly understood. We conducted a series of field experiments to investigate whether and how large domestic herbivores (sheep; Ovis aries) may affect the abundance of a common herbivorous insect (aphid; Hyalopterus pruni) in a temperate grassland of northeast China. Our exclosure experiment showed that 3 years (2010-2012) of sheep grazing had led to 86% higher aphid abundance compared with ungrazed sites. Mechanistically, this facilitative effect was driven by grazing altering the plant community, rather than by changes in food availability and predator abundance for aphids. Sheep significantly altered plant community by reducing the abundance of unpalatable forbs for the aphids. Our small-scale forb removal experiment revealed an "associational plant defense" by forbs which protect the grass Phragmites australis from being attacked by the aphids. However, selective grazing on forbs by sheep indirectly disrupted such associational plant defense, making P. australis more susceptible to aphids, consequentially increasing the density of aphids. These findings provide a novel mechanistic explanation for the effects of large herbivores on herbivorous insects by linking selective grazing to plant community composition and the responses of insect populations in grassland ecosystems.

facilitation
community
associational defense
ecosystem engineering
herbivore–herbivore interactions
herbivory
neighboring plants


Blanching effects of radio frequency heating on enzyme inactivation, physiochemical properties of green peas (Pisum sativum L.) and the underlying mechanism in relation to cellular microstructure.

Abstract: Fresh green peas require blanching to terminate enzymatic reaction induced quality deterioration before frozen storage. Radio frequency (RF) heating is a novel way of dry blanching for fruits and vegetables with high processing efficiency. In this study, blanching effects of RF heating on relative activities of lipoxygenase (LOX) and peroxidase (POD), physiochemical properties as well as cellular morphology changes of green peas were investigated. Results showed relative activities of pea LOX and POD reduced to 0.90 ± 0.78% and 1.10 ± 0.71%, respectively at 85 °C by RF heating with an electrode gap 105 mm. Weight loss, color, texture and electrolyte leakage of peas changed significantly with increasing temperature (60-85 °C). Ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and mineral contents had different loss after RF processing and long term heating at 115 mm exacerbated the loss of nutrients. Microstructure features showed the deconstruction of pea cell well and starch granule gelatinization.

Zhang|Caiyue|C| Hu|Chenchen|C| Sun|Yanan|Y| Zhang|Xueying|X| Wang|Yequn|Y| Fu|Hongfei|H| Chen|Xiangwei|X| Wang|Yunyang|Y|

Blanching
Radio frequency
Physiochemical properties
Green pea
Cellular microstructure


microRNA-10b expression and its correlation with molecular subtypes of early invasive ductal carcinoma.

Abstract: The present study aimed to determine whether the expression of microRNA (miR)-10b was correlated with the molecular subtypes of early invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of miR-10b in 193 patients diagnosed with early invasive ductal carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-α, progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (Her-2). The positive expression rate of miR-10b in patients with early invasive ductal carcinoma with ER-α (+) or PR (+) was decreased compared with ER-α (-) or PR (-) patients (P<0.05). Furthermore, the positive expression rate of miR-10b in patients with Her-2 (-) was significantly increased compared with patients that were Her-2 (+) (P=0.031). The positive expression rate of miR-10b in the luminal B subtype was significantly decreased compared with that in the luminal A, Her-2 and basal-like subtypes (P=0.037). In patients that were identified as miR-10b (+), the median disease-free survival time was significantly increased in patients that were ER-α (+)/PR (+)/Her-2 (-) compared with patients that were ER-α (-)/PR (-)/Her-2 (+) (P<0.05). In addition, the median disease-free survival time was significantly decreased in Her-2 overexpression and basal-like subtypes when compared with luminal A and B subtypes (P<0.05). The molecular subtype was an independent prognostic factor for early invasive ductal carcinoma (odds ratios for luminal B, Basal-like, and Her-2 overexpression were 2.900, 5.232 and 4.214, respectively; all P<0.05). Positive expression of miR-10b may also be a prognostic risk factor (odds ratio >1), though this was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The present findings indicated that miR-10b-positive expression was correlated with the expression of ER-α, Her-2 and the molecular subtypes of early invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.

Guo|Chenming|C| Fu|Minggang|M| Dilimina|Yilamu|Y| Liu|Sha|S| Guo|Liying|L|

microRNA-10b
molecular subtypes
early breast invasive ductal cancer


Polypharmacy and drug-related problems among people living with HIV/AIDS: a single-center experience

Abstract:
Background/aim
The HIV-infected population is aging, and the concomitant comorbidities increase the likelihood of polypharmacy. There is a scarcity of data for determining drug-related problems in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Materials and methods
This cross-sectional study was carried out between 1 September 2015 and 1 July 2016. All patients underwent a face-to-face interview with a clinical pharmacist. PCNE Classification V 7.0 was used classify incident drug-related problems (DRPs).

Results
The mean age of the patients was 40.4 ± 13.06 years. The rate of polypharmacy was 66.1% in patients with comorbidities and 12.3% in those without comorbidities (P < 0.001). DRPs were more prominent in older patients (46 vs. 37 years, P < 0.001), those with longer  durations  of  antiretroviral  therapy  (ART)  (45  vs.  27  months,  P  =  0.014),  and  those  with  lower  education  levels  (P  =  0.013).  Receiving >3 ART drugs was associated with more DRPs in the logistic regression model (odds ratio: 8.299, 95% confidence interval: 1.924–35.803). Fifty-eight interventions were performed in 45 (24.9%) patients. Clinical pharmacist interventions were performed in 18.9% of patients without polypharmacy and in 38.9% of patients with polypharmacy (P < 0.001).

Conclusion
DRPs and polypharmacy are common among elderly PLWHA. More interventions are warranted to boost the quality of life in aging PLWHA.

D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

polypharmacy
drug-related problems
Human immunodeficiency virus


Topography-Directed Hot-Water Super-Repellent Surfaces.

Abstract: Natural and artificial super-repellent surfaces are frequently textured with pillar-based discrete structures rather than hole-based continuous ones because the former exhibits lower adhesion from the reduced length of the three-phase contact line. Counterintuitively, here, the unusual topographic effects are discovered on hot-water super-repellency where the continuous microcavity surface outperforms the discrete microneedle/micropillar surface. This anomaly arises from the different dependencies of liquid-repellency stability on the surface structure and water temperature in the two topographies. The unexpected wetting dynamics are interpreted by determining timescales for droplet evaporation, vapor condensation, and droplet bouncing. The associated heat transfer process is unique to the wetting states and remarkably distinct from each other in the two topographies. It is envisioned that hot-water super-repellent microcavity surfaces will be advantageous for a variety of applications, especially when both self-cleaning and thermal insulation are imperative, such as clothing for scald protection and digital microfluidics for exothermic reactions.

wetting dynamics
heat transfer
liquid repellency
structure–property relationship


COVID-19: sitting is the new smoking; the role of exercise in augmenting the immune system among the elderly.

Abstract:
Introduction
Like smoking, sedentary lifestyle is an issue of great concern because of its deleterious health challenges and implications. Given the global spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), social isolation regulations and laws have been implemented in many countries to contain the spread of the virus and this has caused a drastic shift from the usual physically demanding life to a sedentary lifestyle characterized by significantly reduced physical activities and prolong sitting.

Methods/Data Source
Human and nonhuman primate literature was examined to compare experimental and clinical modulation of inflammatory cytokines by exercised-induced myokines.

Data synthesis
Experimental and clinical evidence was used to examine whether exercised-induced myokines can prime the immune system of the elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion
The immune system changes with advancement in age which increases the likelihood of infectious disease morbidity and mortality in older adults. Several epidemiological studies have also shown that physical inactivity among geriatric population impacts negatively on the immune system. Evidences on the importance of exercise in priming the immune system of elderly individuals could be an effective therapeutic strategy in combating the virus as it may well be a case of "let those with the best immune system win".

Tokunbo|Olorunfemi|O| Abayomi|Taiwo|T| Adekomi|Damilare|D| Oyeyipo|Ibukun|I|

Exercise
immune system
sedentary lifestyle
myokines


Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the family accommodation scale for obsessive-compulsive disorder interviewer-rated.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Family accommodation (FA) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) means that the relatives of patients are involved in, help or facilitate patients' ritual behaviors and avoidance, which is a frequent occurrence and underresearched phenomenon in China. Recent studies have suggested that FA is adversely associated with treatment response, contradictory to the goal of cognitive behavior therapy, a contributor to the maintenance of symptoms and increased symptom severity, and associated with low levels of family and social functioning. There is increasing interest and focus on establishing a family-based intervention for OCD treatment based on the inclusion of relatives by decreasing FA. The present study explored the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Family Accommodation Scale for OCD Interviewer-Rated (FAS-IR).

METHOD
A total of 109 patients with OCD and 91 primary relatives were assessed in corresponding patient and family measures, and the FAS-IR was administered to relatives by trained interviewers.

RESULTS
More than 90% of the relatives accommodated patients' symptoms with at least one kind of FA behavior over the previous week, and the incidence of extreme or everyday routines was as high as 59.3%. Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated two-factor structure for the whole scale, including (1) modification and facilitation, and (2) participation. Cronbach's alpha was 0.798 for the whole scale, and the interrater and test-retest reliability coefficients were 0.835 (95%CI: 0.603-0.937) and 0.882 (95%CI: 0.685-0.959), respectively. Convergent validity was supported in exploring FA and was associated with symptom severity, level of functional impairment and family functioning related to OCD. The FA was not significantly correlated with depressive symptoms rated by the patients, as evidence of acceptable divergent validity. There was no significant difference in FA total score based on patient gender, patient age, or relationship with patients.

CONCLUSIONS
The Chinese version of the FAS-IR demonstrated excellent psychometric properties for assessing the degree of FA, suggesting that it is a useful and valuable instrument in clinical and research settings.

Liao|Zhenhua|Z| You|Ciping|C| Chen|Ying|Y| Zhang|Jinli|J| Ding|Lijun|L|

Psychometric properties
Chinese version
Family accommodation
Obsessive-compulsive disorder


Transmission of the "World": Sumeru Cosmology as Seen in Central Asian Buddhist Paintings Around 500 AD.

Abstract: This paper considers the process of how the image of Mount Sumeru, the axis mundi of the Indian Buddhist cosmology, was transmitted from the Indo-Iranian cultural sphere to the Chinese cultural sphere in the fifth and sixth centuries. The research focus is mainly on the representations of Mt. Sumeru in the wall paintings of two monumental Buddhist sites from this period, the Kizil Grottoes (Kucha) and the Mogao Grottoes (Dunhuang), with reference to a relevant image in the Yungang Grottoes (Datong). As the monks of Kucha were in direct intellectual contact with contemporaneous India via the Sanskrit language, it is a purely Indian Buddhist cosmological worldview that is reflected in early Kizil paintings. In Dunhuang, on the other hand, the earliest-extant Sumeru representation clearly shows the visual syncretism of Buddhist and Taoist cosmologies. These visual symbols of the "World" are composites of multiple historical factors, such as languages, geopolitical situation of regional powers, and ideological trends of the regions.

Sumeru
Buddhist cosmology
Kucha
Dunhuang
Yungang
Silk road cultural history


Variation of mucin adhesion, cell surface characteristics, and molecular mechanisms among Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from different habitats.

Abstract: The adhesion ability to mucin varied greatly among 18 Lactobacillus plantarum isolates depending on their isolation habitats. Such ability remained at high level even though they were sequentially exposed to the gastrointestinal (GI) stresses. The majority of L. plantarum isolated from shrimp intestine and about half of food isolates exhibited adhesion ability (51.06-55.04%) about the same as the well-known adhesive L. plantarum 299v. Interestingly, five infant isolates of CIF17A2, CIF17A4, CIF17A5, CIF17AN2, and CIF17AN8 exhibited extremely high adhesion ranging from 62.69 to 72.06%. Such highly adhesive property correlating to distinctively high cell surface hydrophobicity was significantly weaken after pretreatment with LiCl and guanidine-HCl confirming the entailment of protein moiety. Regarding the draft genome information, all molecular structures of major cell wall-anchored proteins involved in the adhesion based on L. plantarum WCSF1, including lp_0964, lp_1643, lp_3114, lp_2486, lp_3127, and lp_3059 orthologues were detected in all isolates. Exceptionally, the gene-trait matching between yeast agglutination assay and the relevant mannose-specific adhesin (lp_1229) encoding gene confirmed the Msa absence in five infant isolates expressed distinctively high adhesion. Interestingly, the predicted flagellin encoding genes (fliC) firstly revealed in lp_1643, lp_2486, and lp_3114 orthologues may potentially contribute to such highly adhesive property of these isolates.

Buntin|Nirunya|N|
de Vos|Willem M|WM|
Hongpattarakere|Tipparat|T|

Gene-trait matching
Competitive adhesion
Lactobacillus fliC
Mannose-specific adhesion
Mucin-adhesion mechanism
Mucus-binding protein


Dual stimulation of antigen presenting cells using carbon nanotube-based vaccine delivery system for cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: Although anti-cancer immuno-based combinatorial therapeutic approaches have shown promising results, efficient tumour eradication demands further intensification of anti-tumour immune response. With the emerging field of nanovaccinology, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have manifested prominent potentials as tumour antigen nanocarriers. Nevertheless, the utilization of MWNTs in co-delivering antigen along with different types of immunoadjuvants to antigen presenting cells (APCs) has not been investigated yet. We hypothesized that harnessing MWNT for concurrent delivery of cytosine-phosphate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG) and anti-CD40 Ig (αCD40), as immunoadjuvants, along with the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) could potentiate immune response induced against OVA-expressing tumour cells. We initially investigated the effective method to co-deliver OVA and CpG using MWNT to the APC. Covalent conjugation of OVA and CpG prior to loading onto MWNTs markedly augmented the CpG-mediated adjuvanticity, as demonstrated by the significantly increased OVA-specific T cell responses in vitro and in C57BL/6 mice. αCD40 was then included as a second immunoadjuvant to further intensify the immune response. Immune response elicited in vitro and in vivo by OVA, CpG and αCD40 was significantly potentiated by their co-incorporation onto the MWNTs. Furthermore, MWNT remarkably improved the ability of co-loaded OVA, CpG and αCD40 in inhibiting the growth of OVA-expressing B16F10 melanoma cells in subcutaneous or lung pseudo-metastatic tumour models. Therefore, this study suggests that the utilization of MWNTs for the co-delivery of tumour-derived antigen, CpG and αCD40 could be a competent approach for efficient tumours eradication.

Hassan|Hatem A F M|HA|
Smyth|Lesley|L|
Wang|Julie T-W|JT|
Costa|Pedro M|PM|
Ratnasothy|Kulachelvy|K|
Diebold|Sandra S|SS|
Lombardi|Giovanna|G|
Al-Jamal|Khuloud T|KT|

Vaccine delivery
Carbon nanotubes
Cancer vaccines
Dendritic cells
Nanomedicine


3D graphene oxide-polymer hydrogel: near-infrared light-triggered active scaffold for reversible cell capture and on-demand release.

Abstract: An active cell scaffold based on a graphene-polymer hydrogel has been successfully fabricated. The macroporous hydrogel can efficiently capture cells not only through the bioadhesive ligand RGD but also through on-demand release of cells with an NIR light stimulus. The latter process shows better dynamic control over cells than traditional passive-hydrogel-based cell depots.

Li|Wen|W| Wang|Jiasi|J| Ren|Jinsong|J| Qu|Xiaogang|X|

D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate

graphene
hydrogel
active scaffold
control release
near-infrared light


Whether glycine betaine improves the thermotolerance of mesophilic anammox consortia.

Abstract: While the application of mesophilic anammox process is currently the state of the art, the feasibility of a thermophilic anammox bioprocess is still unclear. In this study, we investigate whether glycine betaine (GB) addition can enhance the thermotolerance of mesophilic anammox biomass in the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors fed with synthetic wastewater at a nitrogen loading of approximately 4 kg N m-3 d-1. The results showed that during a long-term operation at 45°C with GB (0, 0.1, 1, 2 mM) addition, anammox performance became worse with the final effluent concentrations of NO2 -N of 145 ± 11.6 mg L-1 and nitrogen removal efficiency decreased from 92.3-6.9%. Specific anammox activity decreased from 392.1 ± 12.1-6.0 ± 0.8 mg N g-1 VSS d-1, which were not significantly higher than those in the control reactor. The content of heme c showed a stronger downward trend in T1 (with GB addition) than in the control reactor T0. The qPCR results showed that the relative abundance of Candidatus Kuenenia decreased in both the experimental (from 53.5-28.8%) and control reactors (from 54.1-35.1%). Overall, continuous addition of exogenous GB did not improve the thermotolerance of mesophilic anammox consortia at 45°C.

Zhu|Xiao-Ling|XL| Bai|Yu-Hui|YH| Wu|Jing|J| Xu|Lian-Zeng-Ji|LZ| Cheng|Ya-Fei|YF| Fan|Nian-Si|NS| Jin|Ren-Cun|RC|

glycine betaine
mesophilic
Anammox
nitrogen removal
high temperature


Automation on an Open-Access Platform of Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker Immunoassays.

Abstract: The lack of (inter-)laboratory standardization has hampered the application of universal cutoff values for Alzheimer's disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and their transfer to general clinical practice. The automation of the AD biomarker immunoassays is suggested to generate more robust results than using manual testing. Open-access platforms will facilitate the integration of automation for novel biomarkers, allowing the introduction of the protein profiling concept. A feasibility study was performed on an automated open-access platform of the commercial immunoassays for the 42-amino-acid isoform of amyloid-β (Aβ1-42), Aβ1-40, and total tau in CSF. Automated Aβ1-42, Aβ1-40, and tau immunoassays were performed within predefined acceptance criteria for bias and imprecision. Similar accuracy was obtained for ready-to-use calibrators as for reconstituted lyophilized kit calibrators. When compared with the addition of a standard curve in each test run, the use of a master calibrator curve, determined before and applied to each batch analysis as the standard curve, yielded an acceptable overall bias of -2.6% and -0.9% for Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40, respectively, with an imprecision profile of 6.2% and 8.4%, respectively. Our findings show that transfer of commercial manual immunoassays to fully automated open-access platforms is feasible, as it performs according to universal acceptance criteria.

Gille|Benjamin|B|
Dedeene|Lieselot|L|
Stoops|Erik|E|
Demeyer|Leentje|L|
Francois|Cindy|C|
Lefever|Stefanie|S|
De Schaepdryver|Maxim|M|
Brix|Britta|B|
Vandenberghe|Rik|R|
Tournoy|Jos|J|
Vanderstichele|Hugo|H|
Poesen|Koen|K|

D000544:Alzheimer Disease
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides
D057205:Automation, Laboratory
D015415:Biomarkers
D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid
D005240:Feasibility Studies
D006801:Humans
D007118:Immunoassay
D016875:tau Proteins

automation
open-access platform
biomarkers
cerebrospinal fluid
Alzheimer’s disease


Rapid Response Teams' Initiative: Critical Role and Impact on National and Eastern Mediterranean Regional Emergency Management Capacity Building.

Abstract: Rapid response teams (RRTs) are essential to contain the harmful effects of emergency situations and to coordinate actions in the fragile environment of the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR). The Global Health Development and the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) implemented RRTs to fill the human resources gap and to enable the member states to build their capacity in rapid assessment and response to public health events to reduce human suffering. To build the capacity of the member states in the field of rapid response and to build a strong team of rapid response specialists at the regional level, EMPHNET implemented this initiative at two levels. The first was a basic regional RRT course (July 2012). It was an introductory course for the selected candidates to provide insight and to enhance the knowledge and skills needed to be part of an RRT. The training included 32 participants from nine EMR countries. The course was designed to allow the facilitators and selection committee to select 15 to 20 potential candidates for the advanced RRT course. The second was the advanced RRT course (September 2010 to October 2012) for training the trainers and preparing the RRTs for deployment. A series of RRT training workshops were held, with more than 650 health staff from 12 countries trained. In all workshops that were conducted during 2016-2017, the trainees showed significant improvement in their knowledge and skills.

response teams
emergency
management
capacity building
training


Magnetoencephalography in the study of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract: Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that provides a measure of cortical neural activity on a millisecond timescale with high spatial resolution. MEG has been clinically applied to various neurological diseases, including epilepsy and cognitive dysfunction. In the past decade, MEG has also emerged as an important investigatory tool in neurodevelopmental studies. It is therefore an opportune time to review how MEG is able to contribute to the study of atypical brain development. We limit this review to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The relevant published work for children was accessed using PubMed on 5 January 2015. Case reports, case series, and papers on epilepsy were excluded. Owing to their accurate separation of brain activity in the right and left hemispheres and the higher accuracy of source localization, MEG studies have added new information related to auditory-evoked brain responses to findings from previous electroencephalography studies of children with ASD. In addition, evidence of atypical brain connectivity in children with ASD has accumulated over the past decade. MEG is well suited for the study of neural activity with high time resolution even in young children. Although further studies are still necessary, the detailed findings provided by neuroimaging methods may aid clinical diagnosis and even contribute to the refinement of diagnostic categories for neurodevelopmental disorders in the future.

Kikuchi|Mitsuru|M| Yoshimura|Yuko|Y| Mutou|Kouhei|K| Minabe|Yoshio|Y|

magnetoencephalography
autism spectrum disorder
connectivity
young children
auditory-evoked field


Exploring use of the ICF in health education.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
Currently, little is known regarding use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in health education applications. Therefore, this review sought to examine the scope of work that has been conducted regarding the application of the ICF in health education.

METHODS
A review of the current literature related to use of the ICF in health education programs was conducted. Twelve electronic databases were searched in accordance with a search protocol developed by a health sciences librarian. In total, 17,878 records were reviewed, and 18 articles met the criteria for inclusion in this review.

RESULTS
Current evidence regarding use of the ICF in healthcare education revealed that program and participant properties can be essential facilitators or barriers to successful education programs. In addition, gaps in comprehensive outcome measurement were revealed as areas for future attention. Educational applications of the ICF are very much a work in progress as might be expected given the ICF's existence for only a little over a decade.

CONCLUSIONS
To advance use of the ICF in education, it is important to incorporate the measurement of both knowledge acquisition and behavior change related to ICF-based programs. Ultimately, widespread implementation of the ICF represents not only a substantial opportunity but also poses a significant challenge.

Bornbaum|Catherine C|CC|
Day|Adam M B|AM|
Izaryk|Kristen|K|
Morrison|Stephanie J|SJ|
Ravenek|Michael J|MJ|
Sleeth|Lindsay E|LE|
Skarakis-Doyle|Elizabeth|E|

D064702:International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

international classification of functioning


Associations of α- and γ-tocopherol during early life with lung function in childhood.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Tocopherol isoforms may regulate child lung growth and spirometric measures.

OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to determine the extent to which plasma α-tocopherol (α-T) or γ-tocopherol (γ-T) isoform levels in early childhood or in utero are associated with childhood lung function.

METHODS
We included 622 participants in the Project Viva cohort who had lung function at a mid-childhood visit (age 6-10 years). Maternal and child tocopherol isoform levels were measured by HPLC at the second trimester and 3 years of age, respectively. Multivariable linear regression models (adjusted for mid-childhood body mass index z scores, maternal education, smoking in pregnancy, and prenatal particulate matter with diameter of <2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) particulate exposure) stratified by tertiles of child γ-T level were used to assess the association of α-T levels with FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FVC) percent predicted. Similarly, models stratified by child α-T tertile evaluated associations of γ-T levels with lung function. We performed similar analyses with maternal second trimester tocopherol isoform levels.

RESULTS
The median maternal second trimester α-T level was 63 μM (interquartile range = 47-82). The median early-childhood level was 25 μM (interquartile range = 20-33 μM). In the lowest tertile of early-childhood γ-T, children with a higher α-T level (per 10 μM) had a higher mid-childhood FEV1 percent predicted (β = 3.09; 95% CI = 0.58-5.59 and a higher FVC percent predicted (β = 2.77; 95% CI = 0.47-5.06). This protective association of α-T was lost at higher γ-T levels. We did not see any consistent associations of second trimester levels of either α-T or γ-T with mid-childhood FEV1 or FVC.

CONCLUSION
When γ-T levels were in the lowest tertile, a higher early-childhood α-T level was associated with better lung function at mid-childhood. Second trimester maternal plasma α-T concentration was 3-fold higher than in the adult nonpregnant female population.

Kumar|Rajesh|R|
Ferrie|Ryan P|RP|
Balmert|Lauren C|LC|
Kienzl|Matthew|M|
Rifas-Shiman|Sheryl L|SL|
Gold|Diane R|DR|
Sordillo|Joanne E|JE|
Kleinman|Ken|K|
Camargo|Carlos A|CA|
Litonjua|Augusto A|AA|
Oken|Emily|E|
Cook-Mills|Joan M|JM|

D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects


Polymer-mediated growth of crystals and mesocrystals.

Abstract: Polymers are important additives for the control of mineralization reactions in both biological and bioinspired mineralization. The reason is that they allow for a number of interactions with the growing crystals and even amorphous minerals. These can substantially influence the way the mineral grows on several levels. Already in the prenucleation phase, polymers can control the formation of prenucleation clusters and subsequently the nucleation event. Also, polymers can control whether the further crystallization follows a classical or nonclassical particle-mediated growth path. In this chapter, the main ways in which polymers can be used to control a crystallization reaction will be highlighted. In addition, polymers that are useful for this purpose and the experimental conditions suitable for directing a crystallization reaction into the desired direction through the use of polymers will be described.

Mesocrystal
Classical crystallization
Double hydrophilic block copolymer
Face-selective adsorption
Morphogenesis
Nonclassical crystallization
Polyelectrolyte


Relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in nonobese adults.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is closely related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), though the mechanism is not conclusive as obesity is a confounder. The objective of this observational study was to investigate the correlation between these disorders in nonobese subjects.

METHODS
We consecutively enrolled nonobese individuals undergoing polysomnography and abdominal ultrasonography and analyzed differences in NAFLD patients grouped by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and in OSA patients according to the presence or absence of NAFLD. Multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent risks of NAFLD in OSA patients.

RESULTS
A total of 175 participants were included. The 106 ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD patients were classified into four groups by AHI. There were no significant differences in triglycerides (TG), serum aminotransferase levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with worsening OSA. In both OSA patients with NAFLD and those without NAFLD, body mass index (BMI), the lowest oxygen saturation (LaSO2), HOMA-IR, and TG were significantly associated. Additionally, BMI, LaSO2, and TG independently predicted the development of NAFLD after adjustments (odds ratio [OR] = 1.562, p = 0.003; OR = 0.960, p = 0.03; OR = 3.410, p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS
In nonobese subjects, OSA itself does not appear to induce significant changes in liver enzymes. With reference to lipid metabolism, weight control and OSA-related hypoxemia are key factors in reducing the risk of NAFLD in OSA patients. Additional large-scale, prospective studies are warranted to investigate the impact of OSA on liver injury in nonobese adults.

Qi|Jia-Chao|JC| Huang|Jian-Chai|JC| Lin|Qi-Chang|QC| Zhao|Jian-Ming|JM| Lin|Xin|X| Chen|Li-Da|LD| Huang|Jie-Feng|JF| Chen|Xiao|X|

D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Obstructive sleep apnea
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Nonobese
Adults
Chronic intermittent hypoxia


In-hospital acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: What is the scope of the problem?

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) is a frequently encountered condition in the Gastroenterology field with a mortality rate of 10-14%. Despite recent newer innovations and advancements in endoscopic techniques and available medications, the mortality rate associated with AUGIB remained persistently elevated.

AIM
To explore mortality, characteristics and outcome differences between hospitalized patients who develop AUGIB while in-hospital, and patients who initially present with AUGIB.

METHODS
This is a retrospective of patients who presented to Northwell Health Staten Island University Hospital from October 2012 to October 2016 with AUGIB that was confirmed endoscopically. Patients were divided in two groups: Group 1 comprised patients who developed AUGIB during their hospital stay; group 2 consisted of patients who initially presented with AUGIB as their main complaint. Patient characteristics, time to endoscopy, endoscopy findings and interventions, and clinical outcomes were collected and compared between groups.

RESULTS
A total of 336 patients were included. Group 1 consisted of 139 patients and group 2 of 196 patients. Mortality was significantly higher in the 1st group compared to the 2nd (20% vs 3.1%, P ≤ 0.05). Increased length of stay (LOS) was noted in the 1st group (13 vs 6, P ≤ 0.05). LOS post-endoscopy, vasopressor use, number of packed red blood cell units and patients requiring fresh frozen plasma were higher in group 1. Inpatients were more likely to be on corticosteroids, antiplatelets and anticoagulants. Conversely, the mean time from bleeding to undergoing upper endoscopy was significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2.

CONCLUSION
In-hospital AUGIB is associated with high mortality and morbidity despite a shorter time to endoscopy. Larger scale studies assessing the role of increased comorbidities and antithrombotic use in this setting are warranted.

Haddad|Fady G|FG|
El Imad|Talal|T|
Nassani|Najib|N|
Kwok|Raymond|R|
Al Moussawi|Hassan|H|
Polavarapu|Abhishek|A|
Ahmed|Moiz|M|
El Douaihy|Youssef|Y|
Deeb|Liliane|L|

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Mortality
Length of stay
Hematemesis
Melena
Non-variceal bleeding
Variceal bleeding


Controlled Growth of Large-Area Bilayer Tungsten Diselenides with Lateral P-N Junctions.

Abstract: Bilayer two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) materials are attracting increasing attention due to their predicted high quality electronic and optical properties. Here, we demonstrate dense, selective growth of WSe2 bilayer flakes by chemical vapor deposition with the use of a 1:10 molar mixture of sodium cholate and sodium chloride as the growth promoter to control the local diffusion of W-containing species. A large fraction of the bilayer WSe2 flakes showed a 0 (AB) and 60° (AA') twist between the two layers, whereas Moiré 15 and 30° twist angles were also observed. Well-defined monolayer-bilayer junctions were formed in the as-grown bilayer WSe2 flakes, and these interfaces exhibited p-n diode rectification and an ambipolar transport characteristic. This work provides an efficient method for the layer-controlled growth of 2D materials, in particular, 2D transition metal dichalcogenides, and promotes their applications in next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices.

controlled growth
growth promoter
bilayer WSe2
monolayer−bilayer junction
two-dimensional materials