Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy after Neoadjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer. The Validation Protocol.

Abstract: Introduction: The identification and biopsy of the sentinel lymph node (SLNB) in breast cancer patients requiring neoadjuvant cytostatic treatment (NAC), with clinically negative lymph nodes following treatment, may be an effective method of de-escalation of axillary surgery. Materials and methods: This prospective study includes 47 cases of breast cancer stage IIB-IIIA, with NAC treatment and complete axillary clinical and imaging response, surgeries performed at Prof. Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu Oncological Institute in Bucharest (IOB) by the same team. In all the cases, SLNB was employed using the radioactive tracer method. The SLNB technique with Tc99 radioactive tracer involves: - injection of the radioactive tracer and preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, - intraoperative identification of the sentinel node/ lymph nodes and their excisional biopsy, - intraoperative histopathological examination, in paraffin blocks, and immunohistochemistry of the lymph node (SLN). Results: SLN was identified in 46 of 47 cases. In 19 cases SLN was positive, and in 2 cases we recorded false negative results. All patients underwent standard axillary lymphadenectomy (back-up lymphadenectomy). The correlation between the intraoperative and paraffin histopathological examination of SLN with the paraffin and immunohistochemical examination of the rest of the axillary nodes (N-SLN) led to the following results: sensitivity 91% (19/ 21), specificity 100% (25/ 25), positive predictive value 100% (19/ 19), negative predictive value 93% (25/ 27). The accuracy of the method was 96% (44/ 46). SLN invasion was more common in patients with residual tumor 2 cm (vs T 2 cm) (p = 0.01), positive N-SLN (vs non-invaded N-SLN) (p = 0.003). N-SLNs were more frequently invaded when there was peritumoral lymphocyte invasion (vs. no invasion) (p = 0.01). Conclusions: SLNB in patients with breast cancer who require NAC, with clinically and imaging negative lymph nodes following treatment, has a high rate of specificity and an acceptable number of false negative results. Node invasion is more common in patients with residual tumors 2 cm, with lymphovascular invasion or with multicenter/ multifocal disease.

Bordea|Cristian|C| Gherghe|Mirela|M| Capsa|Cristina|C| Noditi|Aniela|A| Ianovici|Ciprian|C| Caragheorghe|George|G| Blidaru|Alexandru|A|

D001365:Axilla
D001943:Breast Neoplasms
D006801:Humans
D008197:Lymph Node Excision
D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis
D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic
D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy
D011446:Prospective Studies
D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
D016896:Treatment Outcome


Spliced XBP1 promotes macrophage survival and autophagy by interacting with Beclin-1.

Abstract: Macrophage autophagy plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, but the precise mechanism mediating this process is unclear. The potential role of the X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), a crucial transduction factor that is involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response, in bone marrow-derived macrophage autophagy is unknown. This study mainly explores the roles of XBP1 mRNA splicing in bone marrow-derived macrophage autophagy. The present study shows that the transient overexpression of spliced XBP1 via adenovirus-mediated gene transfer induces autophagy and promotes proliferation in bone marrow-derived macrophages via the down-regulation of Beclin-1, but that the sustained overexpression of spliced XBP1 leads to apoptosis. When XBP1 is down-regulated in bone marrow-derived macrophages using siRNA, rapamycin-induced autophagosome formation is ablated. Furthermore, we have detected the overexpression of XBP1 in areas of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries of ApoE-/- mice. These results demonstrate that XBP1 mRNA splicing plays an important role in maintaining the function of bone marrow-derived macrophages and provide new insight into the study and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Tian|Ping-Ge|PG| Jiang|Zhi-Xin|ZX| Li|Jian-Hua|JH| Zhou|Zhe|Z| Zhang|Qing-Hua|QH|

D000071701:Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors

D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Macrophage
Autophagy
X-box binding protein 1
Proliferation


High-Resolution, Large-Area Fabrication of Compliant Electrodes via Laser Ablation for Robust, Stretchable Dielectric Elastomer Actuators and Sensors.

Abstract: A key element in stretchable actuators, sensors, and systems based on elastomer materials are compliant electrodes. While there exist many methodologies for fabricating electrodes on dielectric elastomers, very few succeed in achieving high-resolution patterning over large areas. We present a novel approach for the production of mechanically robust, high-resolution compliant electrodes for stretchable silicone elastomer actuators and sensors. Cast, 2-50 μm thick poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-carbon composite layers are patterned by laser ablation and subsequently bonded to a PDMS membrane by oxygen plasma activation. The technique affords great design flexibility and high resolution and readily scales to large-area arrays of devices. We validate our methodology by producing arrays of actuators and sensors on up to A4-size substrates, reporting on microscale dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) generating area strains of over 25%, and interdigitated capacitive touch sensors with high sensitivity yet insensitivity to substrate stretching. We demonstrate the ability to cofabricate highly integrated multifunctional transducers using the same process flow, showing the methodology's promise in realizing sophisticated and reliable complex stretchable devices with fine features over large areas.

Araromi|Oluwaseun A|OA|
Rosset|Samuel|S|
Shea|Herbert R|HR|

laser ablation
dielectric elastomer actuators
dielectric elastomer sensors
electroactive polymers
oxygen plasma-bonding


Ultrasonographic characteristics of lipiduria in clinically normal cats.

Abstract: Echoes are frequently seen in the urinary bladder of cats during abdominal ultrasound. These have been attributed to hematuria, pyuria, crystalluria, and lipid. However, sonographic findings have not been previously correlated with urinalysis. We prospectively evaluated 40 clinically normal cats via ultrasound, serum chemistry, and urinalysis. Thin layer chromatography was performed on the urine to determine the amount (mg) of lipid subfractions including diacylglycerol, triglyceride, phospholipid, free fatty acid, cholesterol, and cholesterol ester. Ninety percent (36/40) of the cats in our population had sonographic echoes suspended in the urinary bladder, with most having a subjective score of mild echoes (n = 20). None of the sonographic echoes were gravity dependent or caused distal acoustic shadowing, reverberation, or twinkle artifact. Of the cats with sonographic echoes in the urine, 66% (24/36) had no significant findings on urinalysis other than the presence of lipid. The total amount of subjective sonographic echoes was not significantly related to the total amount of fat measured on thin layer chromatography or the number of lipid droplets seen on urinalysis. An increased amount of urine diacylglycerol was significantly associated with clumping of echoes (P = 0.02) and the amount of lipid droplets seen on urinalysis (P = 0.04). An association between increased amounts of urine diacylglycerol and the amount of echoes seen on ultrasound approached significance (P = 0.05). Findings from this study support previously published theories that sonographic echoes within the urinary bladder of clinically normal cats may be due to urine lipid.

Sislak|Meg D|MD|
Spaulding|Kathy A|KA|
Zoran|Debra L|DL|
Bauer|John E|JE|
Thompson|James A|JA|

cat
urinary bladder
ultrasound
urine lipid


Cross-attention multi-branch network for fundus diseases classification using SLO images.

Abstract: Fundus diseases classification is vital for the health of human beings. However, most of existing methods detect diseases by means of single angle fundus images, which lead to the lack of pathological information. To address this limitation, this paper proposes a novel deep learning method to complete different fundus diseases classification tasks using ultra-wide field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) images, which have an ultra-wide field view of 180-200˚. The proposed deep model consists of multi-branch network, atrous spatial pyramid pooling module (ASPP), cross-attention and depth-wise attention module. Specifically, the multi-branch network employs the ResNet-34 model as the backbone to extract feature information, where the ResNet-34 model with two-branch is followed by the ASPP module to extract multi-scale spatial contextual features by setting different dilated rates. The depth-wise attention module can provide the global attention map from the multi-branch network, which enables the network to focus on the salient targets of interest. The cross-attention module adopts the cross-fusion mode to fuse the channel and spatial attention maps from the ResNet-34 model with two-branch, which can enhance the representation ability of the disease-specific features. The extensive experiments on our collected SLO images and two publicly available datasets demonstrate that the proposed method can outperform the state-of-the-art methods and achieve quite promising classification performance of the fundus diseases.

Xie|Hai|H| Zeng|Xianlu|X| Lei|Haijun|H| Du|Jie|J| Wang|Jiantao|J| Zhang|Guoming|G| Cao|Jiuwen|J| Wang|Tianfu|T| Lei|Baiying|B|

Cross-attention
Multi-branch network
Fundus diseases classification
SLO
ASPP
Depth-wise attention


Uterine artery embolization: exploring new dimensions in obstetric emergencies.

Abstract: The role of transcatheter arterial embolization in the management of obstetric emergencies is relatively new and not so commonly used. In the following series, the efficacy of this technique in situations such as scar site ectopic pregnancy, antepartum and postpartum obstetric hemorrhage, especially in the presence of coagulation derangement is presented.

Singhal|Seema|S| Singh|Abha|A| Raghunandan|Chitra|C| Gupta|Usha|U| Dutt|Seema|S|

Uterine artery embolization
Transcatheter arterial embolization
Scar site ectopic pregnancy
Antepartum hemorrhage
Post partum hemorrhage


Functional significance of thermosensitive transient receptor potential melastatin channel 8 (TRPM8) expression in immortalized human corneal endothelial cells.

Abstract: Human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC) maintain appropriate tissue hydration and transparency by eliciting net ion transport coupled to fluid egress from the stroma into the anterior chamber. Such activity offsets tissue swelling caused by stromal imbibition of fluid. As corneal endothelial (HCE) transport function is modulated by temperature changes, we probed for thermosensitive transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) functional activity in immortalized human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC-12) and freshly isolated human corneal endothelial cells (HCEC) as a control. This channel is either activated upon lowering to 28 °C or by menthol, eucalyptol and icilin. RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) verified TRPM8 gene expression. Ca(2+) transients induced by either menthol (500 μmol/l), eucalyptol (3 mmol/l), or icilin (2-60 μmol/l) were identified using cell fluorescence imaging. The TRP channel blocker lanthanum III chloride (La(3+), 100 μmol/l) as well as the TRPM8 blockers BCTC (10 μmol/l) and capsazepine (CPZ, 10 μmol/l) suppressed icilin-induced Ca(2+) increases. In and outward currents induced by application of menthol (500 μmol/l) or icilin (50 μmol/l) were detected using the planar patch-clamp technique. A thermal transition from room temperature to ≈ 18 °C led to Ca(2+) increases that were inhibited by a TRPM8 blocker BCTC (10 μmol/l). Other thermosensitive TRP pathways whose heterogeneous Ca(2+) response patterns are suggestive of other Ca(2+) handling pathways were also detected upon strong cooling (≈10 °C). Taken together, functional TRPM8 expression in HCEC-12 and freshly dissociated HCEC suggests that HCE function can adapt to thermal variations through activation of this channel subtype.

Mergler|Stefan|S|
Mertens|Charlotte|C|
Valtink|Monika|M|
Reinach|Peter S|PS|
Székely|Violeta Castelo|VC|
Slavi|Nefeli|N|
Garreis|Fabian|F|
Abdelmessih|Suzette|S|
Türker|Ersal|E|
Fels|Gabriele|G|
Pleyer|Uwe|U|

D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

immortalized human corneal endothelial cell line

transient receptor potential melastatin 8 channel


Predictors of co-occurring risk behavior trajectories among economically disadvantaged African-American youth: contextual and individual factors.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
African-American youth, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, evidence high rates of negative outcomes associated with three problem behaviors, conduct problems, risky sexual behavior, and substance use. This study used a contextually tailored version of problem behavior theory (PBT) to examine predictors of the simultaneous development of problem behaviors in this specific cultural group.

METHODS
Sociocontextual and individual variables representing four PBT predictor categories, controls protection, support protection, models risk, and vulnerability risk, were examined as predictors of co-occurring problem behaviors among economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents (n = 949). Specifically, the likelihood of following three classes of multiple problem behavior trajectories spanning ages 12-18, labeled the "early experimenters," "increasing high risk-takers," and "adolescent-limited" classes, as opposed to a "normative" class, was examined.

RESULTS
Among other findings, controls protection in the form of a more stringent household curfew at age 12 was related to a lower likelihood of being in the "early experimenters" and "increasing high risk-takers" classes. Conversely, vulnerability risk manifested as stronger attitudes of violence inevitability was associated with a higher likelihood of being in the "early experimenters" class. However, the PBT category of support protection was not associated with risk trajectory class. More distal neighborhood-level manifestations of PBT categories also did not predict co-occurring behavior problems.

CONCLUSION
Guided by an incorporation of contextually salient processes into PBT, prevention programs aiming to decrease co-occurring problem behaviors among low-income African-American adolescents would do well to target both proximal systems and psychological constructs related to perceived security throughout adolescence.

Sterrett|Emma M|EM|
Dymnicki|Allison B|AB|
Henry|David|D|
Byck|Gayle R|GR|
Bolland|John|J|
Mustanski|Brian|B|

Risk behaviors
African-American
Low-income
Problem behavior theory


Cu-ZSM-5: A biomimetic inorganic model for methane oxidation.

Abstract: The present work highlights recent advances in elucidating the methane oxidation mechanism of inorganic Cu-ZSM-5 biomimic and in identifying the reactive intermediates that are involved. Such molecular understanding is important in view of upgrading abundantly available methane, but also to comprehend the working mechanism of genuine Cu-containing oxidation enzymes.

Vanelderen|Pieter|P|
Hadt|Ryan G|RG|
Smeets|Pieter J|PJ|
Solomon|Edward I|EI|
Schoonheydt|Robert A|RA|
Sels|Bert F|BF|

Cu-ZSM-5
C-H activation
Dicopper(II) oxo
Dioxygen activation
Model complex
Selective methane oxidation
Zeolite


Transient Chemogenetic Inhibition of D1-MSNs in the Dorsal Striatum Enhances Methamphetamine Self-Administration.

Abstract: The dorsal striatum is important for the development of drug addiction; however, the role of dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) expressing medium-sized spiny striatonigral (direct pathway) neurons (D1-MSNs) in regulating excessive methamphetamine intake remains elusive. Here we seek to determine if modulating D1-MSNs in the dorsal striatum alters methamphetamine self-administration in animals that have demonstrated escalation of self-administration. A viral vector-mediated approach was used to induce expression of the inhibitory (Gi coupled-hM4D) or stimulatory (Gs coupled-rM3D) designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) engineered to specifically respond to the exogenous ligand clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) selectively in D1-MSNs in the dorsal striatum. CNO in animals expressing hM4D increased responding for methamphetamine compared to vehicle in a within subject treatment paradigm. CNO in animals that did not express DREADDs (DREADD naïve-CNO) or expressed rM3D did not alter responding for methamphetamine, demonstrating specificity for hM4D-CNO interaction in increasing self-administration. Postmortem tissue analysis reveals that hM4D-CNO animals had reduced Fos immunoreactivity in the dorsal striatum compared to rM3D-CNO animals and DREADD naïve-CNO animals. Cellular mechanisms in the dorsal striatum in hM4D-CNO animals reveal enhanced expression of D1R and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). Conversely, rM3D-CNO animals had enhanced activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk1/2) and Akt in the dorsal striatum, supporting rM3D-CNO interaction in these animals compared with drug naïve controls, DREADD naïve-CNO and hM4D-CNO animals. Our studies indicate that transient inhibition of D1-MSNs-mediated strengthening of methamphetamine addiction-like behavior is associated with cellular adaptations that support dysfunctional dopamine signaling in the dorsal striatum.

Oliver|Robert J|RJ|0000-0002-2765-5985
Purohit|Dvijen C|DC|
Kharidia|Khush M|KM|
Mandyam|Chitra D|CD|0000-0002-7354-205X


An open label trial of anakinra to prevent respiratory failure in COVID-19.

Abstract:
Background
It was studied if early suPAR-guided anakinra treatment can prevent severe respiratory failure (SRF) of COVID-19.

Methods
A total of 130 patients with suPAR ≥6 ng/ml were assigned to subcutaneous anakinra 100 mg once daily for 10 days. Primary outcome was SRF incidence by day 14 defined as any respiratory ratio below 150 mmHg necessitating mechanical or non-invasive ventilation. Main secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality and inflammatory mediators; 28-day WHO-CPS was explored. Propensity-matched standard-of care comparators were studied.

Results
22.3% with anakinra treatment and 59.2% comparators (hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.20-0.46) progressed into SRF; 30-day mortality was 11.5% and 22.3% respectively (hazard ratio 0.49; 95% CI 0.25-0.97). Anakinra was associated with decrease in circulating interleukin (IL)-6, sCD163 and sIL2-R; IL-10/IL-6 ratio on day 7 was inversely associated with SOFA score; patients were allocated to less severe WHO-CPS strata.

Conclusions
Early suPAR-guided anakinra decreased SRF and restored the pro-/anti-inflammatory balance.

Funding
This study was funded by the Hellenic Institute for the Study of Sepsis, Technomar Shipping Inc, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum, and the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.

Clinical trial number
NCT04357366.

D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein

D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator

anakinra
COVID-19
severe respiratory failure
suPAR
SARS-CoV-2
human
immunology
inflammation
interleukin-10
medicine


Induction of apoptosis and autophagy by calcifying nanoparticles in human bladder cancer cells.

Abstract: Calcifying nanoparticles have been linked to various types of human disease, but how they contribute to disease processes is unclear. Here, we examined whether and how calcifying nanoparticles isolated from patients with kidney stones are cytotoxic to human bladder cancer cells. Calcifying nanoparticles were isolated from midstream urine of patients with renal calcium oxalate stones and examined by electron microscopy. Human bladder cancer cells (EJ cells) were cultured in the presence of calcifying nanoparticles or nanohydroxyapatites for 12 and 72 h and examined for toxicity using the Cell Counting Kit-8, for autophagy using transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy, and for apoptosis using fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and flow cytometry. Changes in protein expression were analyzed by Western blotting. The results showed that the size and shape of the isolated calcifying nanoparticles were as expected. Calcifying nanoparticles were cytotoxic to EJ cells, more so than nanohydroxyapatites, and this was due, at least in part, to the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Transmission electron microscopy showed that calcifying nanoparticles were packaged into vesicles and autolysosomes. Calcifying nanoparticles induced greater autophagy and apoptosis than nanohydroxyapatites. Our findings demonstrate that calcifying nanoparticles can trigger bladder cancer cell injury by boosting reactive oxygen species production and stimulating autophagy and apoptosis.

Wu|Ji-Hua|JH| Deng|Yao-Liang|YL| Liu|Quan|Q| Yu|Jun-Chuan|JC| Liu|Yun-Long|YL| He|Zi-Qi|ZQ| Guan|Xiao-Feng|XF|

apoptosis
autophagy
Calcifying nanoparticles
human bladder cancer cells


Polymer-Assisted Fabrication of Silver Nanowire Cellular Monoliths: Toward Hydrophobic and Ultraflexible High-Performance Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Materials.

Abstract: Metal nanofibers with excellent electrical conductivity and superior mechanical flexibility have great potentials for fabrication of lightweight, flexible, and high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding architectures. The weak interactions and large contact resistance among the wires, however, hinder their assembly into robust and high-performance EMI shielding monoliths. In this work, we used low fractions of polymers to assist the construction of lightweight, flexible, and highly conductive silver nanowire (AgNW) cellular monoliths with significantly enhanced mechanical strength and EMI shielding effectiveness (SE). The normalized surface specific SE of our AgNW-based cellular monoliths can reach up to 20522 dB·cm2/g, outracing that of most shielding materials ever reported. Moreover, this robust conductive framework enabled the successful fabrication of hydrophobic, ultraflexible, and highly stretchable aerogel/polymer composites with outstanding EMI SE even at an extremely low AgNW content. Thus, this work demonstrated a facile and efficient strategy for assembling metal nanofiber-based functional high-performance EMI shielding architectures.

silver nanowires
electromagnetic interference
flexible
polymer
porous


Single-step scaffold-based cartilage repair in the knee: A systematic review.

Abstract: Chondral lesions are difficult-to-treat entities that often affect young and active people. Moreover, cartilage has limited intrinsic healing potential. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to analyse whether the single-step scaffold-based cartilage repair in combination with microfracturing (MFx) is more effective and safe in comparison to MFx alone. From the three identified studies, it seems that the single-step scaffold-assisted cartilage repair in combination with MFx leads to similar short- to medium-term (up to five years follow-up) results, compared to MFx alone. All of the studies have shown improvements regarding joint functionality, pain and partly quality of life.

Microfracturing
Autologous chondrocyte implantation
Cartilage defects
Chondrogenesis
Matrix-assisted cartilage repair


Effectiveness of a 12-Week Physical Exercise Program on Lower-Limb Malalignment in School-age Rugby: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess the effectiveness of 12 weeks of a physical exercise program (PEP) in child rugby players with lower-limb overpronation during gait.

METHODS
This was a randomized clinical trial. A total of 123 young athletes (mean ± standard deviation age, 10.35 ± 1.22 years) were evaluated, 20 of whom had lower-limb overpronation (n = 40 extremities). Participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the experimental group, who performed their normal training and a PEP for 12 weeks, and the control group, who continued with their normal training for the same time. The PEP was focused on stretching the hypertonic muscle and potentiating the weakened muscles of the lower body. All participants underwent biomechanical analysis including the Helbing angle, the femorotibial angle, and the Fick angle in both limbs.

RESULTS
All participants (n = 20) completed the study. Baseline measurements showed no significant differences between groups in any of the variables tested. After 12 weeks, there were significant differences between groups (P < .001 for all angles). No improvement was found in the control group; however, meaningful improvement was found in all variables in the experimental group: Helbing angle (175°, P < .001, effect size [ES] = 1.94), femorotibial angle (173°, P < .001, ES = 1.77), Fick angle (12°, P < .001, ES = 1.55). The number needed to treat was 2 for femorotibial angle and Helbing angle, and 3 for Fick angle.

CONCLUSION
A 12-week PEP produced significant improvements in these 3 biomechanical variables. We also conclude that young athletes with a pathological gait pattern reached a normal gait pattern.

Exercise
Child
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Sports


Birthplace and esophageal cancer incidence patterns among Asian-Americans.

Abstract: The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in the United States has risen rapidly over the last 30 years, whereas the incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has fallen dramatically. In contrast, parts of Asia have extremely high rates of squamous cell carcinoma, but virtually no adenocarcinoma. Within the United States, Asian-Americans as a whole, have low rates of esophageal adenocarcinoma and higher rates of squamous cell carcinoma. It is unclear what the patterns are for those Asians born in the United States. The relative influence of ethnicity and environment on the incidence of esophageal cancer in this population is unknown. We identified all cases of esophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma from the California Cancer Registry 1988-2004, including 955 cases among 6 different Asian ethnicities. Time trends were examined using Joinpoint software to calculate the annual percentage changes in regression models. Rates of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma varied substantially among different Asian ethnic groups, but squamous cell carcinoma was much more common than adenocarcinoma in both foreign-born and US-born Asian-Americans. Rates of squamous cell carcinoma were slightly higher among US-born Asian men (4.0 per 100,000) compared with foreign-born Asian men (3.2 per 100,000) and White men (2.2 per 100,000), P = 0.03. Rates of adenocarcinoma were also slighter higher among US-born Asian men (1.2 per 100,000) compared with foreign-born Asian men (0.7 per 100,000), P = 0.01. Rates of squamous cell carcinoma decreased for both US-born and foreign-born Asians during this period, whereas adenocarcinoma remained low and stable. These results provide better insight into the genetic and environmental factors affecting the changing incidence of esophageal cancer histologies in the United States and Asia.

Kim|J Y|JY|
Winters|J K|JK|
Kim|J|J|
Bernstein|L|L|
Raz|D|D|
Gomez|S L|SL|

D000077277:Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Asian-American
Asian
trend
esophageal neoplasm
ethnology
residence characteristic


Primary pituitary tubercular abscess as a differential diagnosis for sellar suprasellar mass.

Abstract: Only four cases of primary pituitary tubercular abscess have been reported. A 20-year-old ladypresented to us with headache and pituitary dysfunction. Radiology showedsellar tubercular abscess with suprasellar extension. Microscopic examination of pus collected during surgery showed granulomatous tissues and Acid Fast Bacilli. The response to antitubercular therapy was remarkable.

Pamidimukkala|Venkataramana|V|
Sahebrao Mandwe|Deepak|D|
K|Siva Ramakrishna|SR|
Batsala|Harshavardhan|H|

D020306:Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System

tubercular abscess
Sellar lesion
brain abscess
craniopharyngioma
tuberculosis


Alginate-Chitosan Hydrogels Provide a Sustained Gradient of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate for Therapeutic Angiogenesis.

Abstract: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lipid, is a potent candidate for treatment of ischemic vascular disease. However, designing biomaterial systems for the controlled release of S1P to achieve therapeutic angiogenesis presents both biological and engineering challenges. Thus, the objective of this study was to design a hydrogel system that provides controlled and sustained release of S1P to establish local concentration gradients that promote neovascularization. Alginate hydrogels have been extensively studied and characterized for delivery of proangiogenic factors. We sought to explore if chitosan (0, 0.1, 0.5, or 1%) incorporation could be used as a means to control S1P release from alginate hydrogels. With increasing chitosan incorporation, hydrogels exhibited significantly denser pore structure and stiffer material properties. While 0.1 and 0.5% chitosan gels demonstrated slower respective release of S1P, release from 1% chitosan gels was similar to alginate gels alone. Furthermore, 0.5% chitosan gels induced greater sprouting and directed migration of outgrowth endothelial cells (OECs) in response to released S1P under hypoxia in vitro. Overall, this report presents a platform for a novel alginate-chitosan hydrogel of controlled composition and in situ gelation properties that can be used to control lipid release for therapeutic applications.

Williams|Priscilla A|PA|
Campbell|Kevin T|KT|
Gharaviram|Hessam|H|
Madrigal|Justin L|JL|
Silva|Eduardo A|EA|

D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)
Lipid
Controlled release
Proangiogenic factors
Outgrowth endothelial cell
Composite hydrogel
Homing


Visual cells and visual pigments of the river lamprey revisited.

Abstract: Retinas of the river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis were studied by microspectrophotometry, electroretinography and single-photoreceptor electrophysiology to reconcile the apparently contradictory conclusions on the nature of lamprey photoreceptor cells drawn in the early work by Govardovskii and Lychakov (J Comp Physiology A 154:279-286, 1984) and in recent studies. In agreement with recent works, we confirmed former identification of short photoreceptors as rods and of long photoreceptors as cones. In line with the results of 1984, we show that within a certain range of light intensities the lamprey retina exhibits "color discrimination". We found that the overlap of working intensity ranges of rods and cones is not a unique feature of lamprey short receptors, and suggest that rod-cone (possibly color) vision may be common among vertebrates. We show that the decay of meta-intermediates in lamprey cones occurs almost 100 times faster than in typical rod metarhodopsins. Rate of decay of metarhodopsins of lamprey rods take an intermediate position between typical rods and cones. This makes lamprey rhodopsin similar to transmuted cone visual pigment in "rods" of nocturnal geckos. We argue that defining various types of photoreceptors as simply "rods" and "cones" may be functionally correct, but neglects their genetic, biochemical and morphological features and evolutionary history.

D017949:Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells

Visual pigments
Lamprey
Electrophysiology
Rods
Cones


Mechanisms of cellular proteostasis: insights from single-molecule approaches.

Abstract: Cells employ a variety of strategies to maintain proteome homeostasis. Beginning during protein biogenesis, the translation machinery and a number of molecular chaperones promote correct de novo folding of nascent proteins even before synthesis is complete. Another set of molecular chaperones helps to maintain proteins in their functional, native state. Polypeptides that are no longer needed or pose a threat to the cell, such as misfolded proteins and aggregates, are removed in an efficient and timely fashion by ATP-dependent proteases. In this review, we describe how applications of single-molecule manipulation methods, in particular optical tweezers, are shedding new light on the molecular mechanisms of quality control during the life cycles of proteins.

Bustamante|Carlos J|CJ|
Kaiser|Christian M|CM|
Maillard|Rodrigo A|RA|
Goldman|Daniel H|DH|
Wilson|Christian A M|CA|

D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force
D018832:Molecular Chaperones
D052898:Optical Tweezers
D014176:Protein Biosynthesis
D017510:Protein Folding
D011506:Proteins

chaperones
proteases
force spectroscopy
protein folding
ribosome
worm-like chain


Association between IGF2BP2 Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) found that IGF2BP2 rs4402960 and rs1470579 polymorphisms were associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. Many studies have replicated this association, but yielded inconsistent results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A case-control study consisting of 461 T2DM patients and 434 health controls was conducted to detect the genetic susceptibility of IGF2BP2 in a northern Han Chinese population. A meta-analysis was to evaluate the association more precisely in Asians.

RESULTS
In the case-control study, the carriers of TT genotype at rs4402960 had a higher T2DM risk than the G carriers (TG + GG) (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 1.962, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.065-3.612, p = 0.031]; CC carriers at rs1470579 were more susceptible to T2DM than A carriers (CA + AA) (AOR = 2.014, 95% CI = 1.114-3.642, p = 0.021). The meta-analysis containing 36 studies demonstrated that the two polymorphisms were associated with T2DM under the allele comparison, genetic models of dominant and recessive in Asians (p < 0.05). The rs4402960 polymorphisms were significantly associated with the T2DM risk after stratification by diagnostic criterion, size of sample and average age and BMI of cases, while there're no consistent results for rs1470579.

CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggests that IGF2BP2 polymorphisms are associated with T2DM in Asian populations.

Rao|Ping|P| Wang|Hao|H| Fang|Honghong|H| Gao|Qing|Q| Zhang|Jie|J| Song|Manshu|M| Zhou|Yong|Y| Wang|Youxin|Y| Wang|Wei|W|

D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease

IGF2BP2
type 2 diabetes mellitus
case-control study
meta-analysis
Asian


The Matricellular Receptor LRP1 Forms an Interface for Signaling and Endocytosis in Modulation of the Extracellular Tumor Environment.

Abstract: The membrane protein low-density lipoprotein receptor related-protein 1 (LRP1) has been attributed a role in cancer. However, its presumably often indirect involvement is far from understood. LRP1 has both endocytic and signaling activities. As a matricellular receptor it is involved in regulation, mostly by clearing, of various extracellular matrix degrading enzymes including matrix metalloproteinases, serine proteases, protease inhibitor complexes, and the endoglycosidase heparanase. Furthermore, by binding extracellular ligands including growth factors and subsequent intracellular interaction with scaffolding and adaptor proteins it is involved in regulation of various signaling cascades. LRP1 expression levels are often downregulated in cancer and some studies consider low LRP1 levels a poor prognostic factor. On the contrary, upregulation in brain cancers has been noted and clinical trials explore the use of LRP1 as cargo receptor to deliver cytotoxic agents. This mini-review focuses on LRP1's role in tumor growth and metastasis especially by modulation of the extracellular tumor environment. In relation to this role its diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential will be discussed.

Van Gool|Bart|B|
Dedieu|Stéphane|S|
Emonard|Hervé|H|
Roebroek|Anton J M|AJ|

LRP1
signaling
endocytosis
cancer
extracellular matrix
metastasis


Daily Work Stress and Awakening Cortisol in Mothers of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Fragile X Syndrome.

Abstract: The effect of daily work stress on the next morning's awakening cortisol level was determined in a sample of 124 mothers (M age = 49.89, SD= 6.33) of adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities and compared to 115 mothers (M age = 46.19, SD = 7.08) of individuals without disabilities. Mothers participated in 8 days of diary telephone interviews and provided saliva samples. Multilevel models revealed that mothers of individuals with developmental disabilities had lower awakening cortisol levels than comparison mothers. Work stress interacted with parental status to predict the awakening cortisol level on the following morning. When mothers of individuals with developmental disabilities experienced a work stressor, their awakening cortisol level was significantly higher on the subsequent morning, but for comparison mothers, work stressors were not significantly associated with cortisol level. Findings extend understanding of the differential impacts of specific types of stressors on physiological functioning of mothers of individuals with and without developmental disabilities.

Wong|Jen D|JD|
Mailick|Marsha R|MR|
Greenberg|Jan S|JS|
Hong|Jinkuk|J|
Coe|Christopher L|CL|

work stress
cortisol
health
working mothers


The Appropriateness of Invasive Ventilation in COVID-19 Positive Cancer Patients: Proposal of a New Prognostic Score.

Abstract: Over the last months, as oncology specialists, we have frequently been contacted for estimating prognosis for cancer patients affected by COVID-19 infection. Until now, there have been no clear markers to guide decision making regarding the appropriateness of invasive ventilation in cancer patients affected by COVID-19 infection. We developed a practical tool encompassing a prognostic score, "The Milano Policlinico ONCOVID-ICU score." The score is composed of three groups of variables: patient's characteristics such as sex, age, BMI, and comorbidities; oncological variables (treatment intent, life expectancy, on or off-treatment status); and clinical parameters in association with laboratory values (the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and D-dimer). The SOFA score includes six different clinical parameters and during the first few days of ICU admissions has an important prognostic role. The oncological history should never represent, per se, a contraindication to intensive care and must be considered together with other variables, such as laboratory values, clinical parameters, and patient characteristics, in order to make the hardest but best possible choice. To our knowledge, "The Milano Policlinico ONCOVID-ICU score" is the first prognostic score proposed in this setting of patients and requires further validation. This tool may be useful to assess the prognosis of cancer patients in critical conditions.

Ghidini|Michele|M|0000-0001-5435-1218 Indini|Alice|A|0000-0001-8686-4106 Rijavec|Erika|E| Bareggi|Claudia|C| Cattaneo|Monica|M| Tomasello|Gianluca|G| Galassi|Barbara|B| Gambini|Donatella|D|0000-0002-0709-536X Grossi|Francesco|F|

D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products

invasive ventilation
COVID-19
cancer
Milano Policlinico
ONCOVID-ICU
SOFA score
ICU
ARDS


Cost comparison of radiofrequency catheter ablation versus cryoablation for atrial fibrillation in hospitals using both technologies.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare the cost of radiofrequency (RF) ablation vs cryoablation (Cryo) for atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS
This retrospective cohort study used 2013-2014 records from the Premier Healthcare Database for adults with AF catheter ablation. Exclusions included non-AF ablation, surgical ablation, valve replacement or repair, or cardiac implant. Hospitals were required to perform ≥20 procedures using each technology, with the technology identifiable in at least 90% of cases. The primary endpoint was total variable visit cost, modeled separately for inpatient and outpatient visits, and adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics. Technology was categorized as RF or Cryo, with dual-technology procedures classified as Cryo. The Cryo cohort was further divided into Cryo only and Cryo with RF for sensitivity analyses. A composite adverse event endpoint was also compared.

RESULTS
A total of 1261 RF procedures and 1276 Cryo procedures, of which 500 also used RF, met study criteria. RF patients were slightly older and sicker, and had more cardiovascular disease and additional arrhythmias. Adjusted inpatient costs were $2803 (30.0%) higher for Cryo, and adjusted outpatient costs were $2215 (19.5%) higher. Sensitivity models showed higher costs in both Cryo sub-groups compared with RF. Procedural complication rates were not significantly different between cohorts (p-values: 0.4888 inpatient, 0.5072 outpatient).

CONCLUSION
AF ablation using RF results in significantly lower costs compared with Cryo, despite an RF population with more cardiovascular disease. This saving cannot be attributed to a difference in complication rates.

Hunter|Tina D|TD|
Palli|Swetha R|SR|
Rizzo|John A|JA|

Cost comparison
Radiofrequency catheter ablation
Cryoablation
Atrial fibrillation


Trends in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, abdominal obesity and their related lifestyle factors in Korean young adults, 1998-2012.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to assess trends of underweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity and related lifestyle factors in young Korean adults.

METHODS
The analysis focused on adults aged 19-39 years using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) I-V (1998-2012). Underweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) <18.5kg/m2; obesity as BMI≥30kg/m2; and abdominal obesity as waist circumference ≥90cm in men and ≥85cm in women. We evaluated trends by analyzing the prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) of underweight, obesity, abdominal obesity, and the proportions and ORs of lifestyles.

RESULTS
As compared with KNHANES I, the ORs for obesity were higher in III, IV, and V and the ORs for abdominal obesity were higher in IV and V in men, which showed an increasing trend (P for trend<0.001). In women, the prevalence of underweight and obesity showed a significant increasing tendency (P for trend<0.001). Lifestyle analysis revealed the overconsumption of energy intake proportion was increased in men and decreased in women. The lack of physical activity and high-risk alcohol consumption proportions showed increasing trends in both men and women. The current smoking proportion was decreased in men and increased in women. The lack of adequate sleep proportion showed a continuous increasing trend in men.

CONCLUSION
Prevention of obesity in young men and women, and abdominal obesity in young men is needed. Meanwhile, management of underweight in young women is simultaneously required.

Trend
Underweight
Obesity
Abdominal obesity
Young adults


No Association Between Suicidality and Weight Among School-Attending Adolescents in the United Arab Emirates.

Abstract: Previous data on the link between weight and suicidality is heterogenous. We aim to investigate the potential association between weight and suicidality among adolescents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We hypothesize that an association exists between weight and suicidality, with those at both extremes of weight suffering higher rates of suicidal ideation, planning and attempts. The 2016 UAE Global School Health Survey (GSHS) was used. Weight categories based on the World Health Organization Body Mass Index charts were generated. Suicidality measures were based on questions on suicide ideation, planning, and attempt. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression were used. Overall, 3.6, 21.4, and 17.5% of students were found to be underweight, overweight, and obese, respectively. In total, 492 students (14.6%) reported suicidal ideation, 397 (11.8%) reported planning, and 389 (11.4%) reported attempts within the twelve months prior to the survey. In the multivariate logistic regression, being female, older, and of lower socioeconomic status were significantly associated with increased suicidal ideation, planning and attempts. Increased parental involvement was associated with decreased suicidality. The association between weight category and suicidality did not reach statistical significance. A significant proportion of Emirati teens are under- or over-weight, with one in seven and one in nine having considered or attempted suicide, respectively. However, this study finds no significant association between weight and suicide ideation, planning, or attempts. This may be due to cultural differences in weight perception. Further research into this association can aid in tailoring suicide prevention interventions.

suicide
weight
adolescents
suicide ideation
obesity
suicide attempts


Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of miR-16, miR-146a, miR-192 and miR-221 in Exosomes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Liver Cirrhosis Patients.

Abstract: We aimed to identify a specific microRNA (miRNA) pattern to determine diagnostic and prognostic value in plasma exosomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. A two-stage study was carried out: exosomal miRNAs were quantified in plasma of HCC patients and healthy individuals by PCR-based microarray cards containing 45 different miRNAs (training cohort). Then, four deregulated miRNAs (miR-16, miR-146a, miR-192, and miR-221) were quantified in the validation analysis using exosomes derived from 85 HCC patients, 50 liver cirrhosis patients, and 20 healthy individuals. Exosomal miR-146a (p = 0.0001), miR-192 (p = 0.002) and miR-221 (p = 0.032) were upregulated only in HCC patients. Repeated 10-fold cross validation showed that miR-146a differentiated HCC from liver cirrhosis patients with AUC of 0.80 ± 0.14 (sensitivity: 81 ± 13%, specificity: 58 ± 22%) in a logistic regression model. High miR-192 presence is associated with poor overall survival (OS) in all HCC patients (p = 0.027) and was predictor of OS in HCC patients in an uni- and multivariate Cox regression model. Moreover, decreased miR-16 levels correlated with OS in liver cirrhosis patients (p = 0.034). Our results emphasized that exosomes secreted into the plasma carry differentially expressed miRNAs of which in particular, miR-192, miR-146, and miR-16 are promising diagnostic and prognostic markers for both HCC and liver cirrhosis patients.

Fründt|Thorben|T|
Krause|Linda|L|0000-0002-8490-5717
Hussey|Elaine|E|
Steinbach|Bettina|B|
Köhler|Daniel|D|
von Felden|Johann|J|0000-0003-2839-5174
Schulze|Kornelius|K|
Lohse|Ansgar W|AW|
Wege|Henning|H|
Schwarzenbach|Heidi|H|

exosomes
hepatocellular carcinoma
liver cirrhosis
microRNAs
survival prediction


Clinical Outcome of Nonfistulous Cerebral Varices: the Analysis of 39 Lesions.

Abstract:
Objective
Cerebral varices (CVs) without an arteriovenous shunt, so called nonfistulous CVs, are very rare, and their etiology and natural course are not well understood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of nonfistulous CVs by the analysis of 39 cases.

Methods
From 2000 to 2015, 22 patients with 39 nonfistulous CVs (≥5 mm) were found by searching the medical and radiologic records of our institute. Clinical data and radiological data including numbers, sizes and locations of CVs and associated anomalies were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Previously reported cases in literature were reviewed as well.

Results
The mean age of the patients was 21 years (range, 0-78 years). On average, 1.8±1.2 CVs were found per patient. CVs were categorized as either fusiform or saccular depending on their shapes. Two patients had saccular type CVs, seventeen patients had fusiform types, and three patients had both fusiform and saccular CVs. Eight patients had associated compromise of the vein of Galen and the straight sinus. Four of those patients had sinus pericranii, as well. Five patients had CVs that were distal draining veins of large developmental venous anomalies. One patient had associated migration anomaly, and two patients had Sturge- Weber syndrome. Six patients with an isolated cerebral varix were observed. Of the 39 CVs in 22 patients, 20 lesions in 14 patients were followed up in outpatient clinics with imaging studies. The average follow-up duration was 6.6 years. During this period, no neurological events occurred, and all the lesions were managed conservatively.

Conclusion
Nonfistulous CVs seemed to be asymptomatic in most cases and remained clinically silent. Hence, we suggest conservative management.

Kim|Hye Seon|HS|
Park|Seong-Cheol|SC|
Ha|Eun Jin|EJ|
Cho|Wong-Sang|WS|
Kim|Seung-Ki|SK|
Kim|Jeong Eun|JE|

Central nervous system vascular malformations


Messenger RNA-Based Vaccines Against Infectious Diseases.

Abstract: In vitro-transcribed, messenger RNA-based infectious disease vaccines have the potential to successfully address many of the weaknesses of traditional vaccine platforms, such as the lack of potency and/or durability of vaccine protection, time-consuming, and expensive manufacturing, and, in some cases, safety issues. This optimism is fueled by a great deal of impressive recent data demonstrating that mRNA vaccines have many of the attributes that are necessary for a viable new vaccine class for human use. This review briefly describes mRNA vaccine types, discusses the most relevant and recent publications on infectious disease mRNA vaccines, and highlights the hurdles that need to be overcome to bring this promising novel vaccine modality to the clinic.

Vaccines
Infectious diseases
mRNA
Clinical trials
LNP
SAM


Structure of the Hydrophobic Core Determines the 3D Protein Structure-Verification by Single Mutation Proteins.

Abstract: Four de novo proteins differing in single mutation positions, with a chain length of 56 amino acids, represent diverse 3D structures: monomeric 3α and 4β + α folds. The reason for this diversity is seen in the different structure of the hydrophobic core as a result of synergy leading to the generation of a system in which the polypeptide chain as a whole participates. On the basis of the fuzzy oil drop model, where the structure of the hydrophobic core is expressed by means of the hydrophobic distribution function in the form of a 3D Gaussian distribution, it has been shown that the composition of the hydrophobic core in these two structural forms is different. In addition, the use of a model to determine the structure of the early intermediate in the folding process allows to indicate differences in the polypeptide chain geometry, which, combined with the construction of a common hydrophobic nucleus as an effect of specific synergy, may indicate the reason for the diversity of the folding process of the polypeptide chain. The results indicate the need to take into account the presence of an external force field originating from the water environment and that its active impact on the formation of a hydrophobic core whose participation in the stabilization of the tertiary structure is fundamental.

Banach|Mateusz|M|
Fabian|Piotr|P|
Stapor|Katarzyna|K|
Konieczny|Leszek|L|
Roterman|And Irena|AI|

D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

hydrophobic core
hydrophobicity
synergy
secondary structure
super-secondary structure


Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 attenuates house dust mite-induced eosinophilic airway inflammation by suppressing dendritic cell-mediated adaptive immune responses.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) is a scavenger receptor that regulates adaptive immunity and inflammation. LRP-1 is not known to modulate the pathogenesis of allergic asthma.

OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess whether LRP-1 expression by dendritic cells (DCs) modulates adaptive immune responses in patients with house dust mite (HDM)-induced airways disease.

METHODS
LRP-1 expression on peripheral blood DCs was quantified by using flow cytometry. The role of LRP-1 in modulating HDM-induced airways disease was assessed in mice with deletion of LRP-1 in CD11c+ cells (Lrp1fl/fl; CD11c-Cre) and by adoptive transfer of HDM-pulsed CD11b+ DCs from Lrp1fl/fl; CD11c-Cre mice to wild-type (WT) mice.

RESULTS
Human peripheral blood myeloid DC subsets from patients with eosinophilic asthma have lower LRP-1 expression than cells from healthy nonasthmatic subjects. Similarly, LRP-1 expression by CD11b+ lung DCs was significantly reduced in HDM-challenged WT mice. HDM-challenged Lrp1fl/fl; CD11c-Cre mice have a phenotype of increased eosinophilic airway inflammation, allergic sensitization, TH2 cytokine production, and mucous cell metaplasia. The adoptive transfer of HDM-pulsed LRP-1-deficient CD11b+ DCs into WT mice generated a similar phenotype of enhanced eosinophilic inflammation and allergic sensitization. Furthermore, CD11b+ DCs in the lungs of Lrp1fl/fl; CD11c-Cre mice have an increased ability to take up HDM antigen, whereas bone marrow-derived DCs display enhanced antigen presentation capabilities.

CONCLUSION
This identifies a novel role for LRP-1 as a negative regulator of DC-mediated adaptive immune responses in the setting of HDM-induced eosinophilic airway inflammation. Furthermore, the reduced LRP-1 expression by circulating myeloid DCs in patients with eosinophilic asthma suggests a possible role for LRP-1 in modulating type 2-high asthma.

Mishra|Amarjit|A|
Yao|Xianglan|X|
Saxena|Ankit|A|
Gordon|Elizabeth M|EM|
Kaler|Maryann|M|
Cuento|Rosemarie A|RA|
Barochia|Amisha V|AV|
Dagur|Pradeep K|PK|
McCoy|J Philip|JP|
Keeran|Karen J|KJ|
Jeffries|Kenneth R|KR|
Qu|Xuan|X|
Yu|Zu-Xi|ZX|
Levine|Stewart J|SJ|

D026503:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1

Low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1


Effects of exercise training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--a narrative review for FYSS (Swedish Physical Activity Exercise Prescription Book).

Abstract: The aims of this review were to determine the level of evidence for exercise training in the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and provide evidence-based recommendations on exercise training. This review was performed in PubMed and Cochrane Library. Included studies investigated patients with COPD who had been randomised to exercise training or no training. Six systematic reviews were included. The methodological quality was scored using a grading system (GRADE). The analysis showed that aerobic and resistance training in patients in a stable state of COPD results in improved health-related quality of life and decreased dyspnoea, anxiety and depression (moderately strong scientific evidence, grade +++), and increased physical capacity and decreased dyspnoea in daily activities (limited scientific evidence, grade ++). In patients with an acute exacerbation, aerobic and resistance training, performed directly after the exacerbation, results in improved health-related quality of life (moderately strong scientific evidence, grade +++), improved exercise capacity and decreased mortality and hospitalisation (limited scientific evidence, grade ++). Thus, patients with COPD should be recommended to take part in exercise training.

D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

Exercise
Exercise training
Physical activity


Energetic Performance of Optically Activated Aluminum/Graphene Oxide Composites.

Abstract: Optical ignition of solid energetic materials, which can rapidly release heat, gas, and thrust, is still challenging due to the limited light absorption and high ignition energy of typical energetic materials ( e.g., aluminum, Al). Here, we demonstrated that the optical ignition and combustion properties of micron-sized Al particles were greatly enhanced by adding only 20 wt % of graphene oxide (GO). These enhancements are attributed to the optically activated disproportionation and oxidation reactions of GO, which release heat to initiate the oxidization of Al by air and generate gaseous products to reduce the agglomeration of the composites and promote the pressure rise during combustion. More importantly, compared to conventional additives such as metal oxides nanoparticles ( e.g., WO3 and Bi2O3), GO has much lower density and therefore could improve energetic properties without sacrificing Al content. The results from Xe flash ignition and laser-based excitation experiments demonstrate that GO is an efficient additive to improve the energetic performance of micron-sized Al particles, enabling micron-sized Al to be ignited by optical activation and promoting the combustion of Al in air.

aluminum
graphene oxide
energetic materials
combustion
flash ignition


Corticosteroids: Review of the History, the Effectiveness, and Adverse Effects in the Treatment of Joint Pain.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Corticosteroids have been used for the past 70 years in the treatment of various musculoskeletal conditions. This includes its use for joint pain such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES
A narrative review of the literature from its initial discovery to the present day to summarize the research of corticosteroids for joint pain to determine the safety and effectiveness of this commonly used and prescribed medication.

METHODS
A review of the literature was performed regarding the effectiveness and side effects of corticosteroids for joint and osteoarthritis conditions.

RESULTS
The current evidence would suggest that the use of corticosteroids provides moderate short-term benefit for reducing pain and improving functioning. These benefits generally last several weeks without long-term effectiveness. In addition to its limited short-term effectiveness, there are multiple potential adverse effects including toxicity to articular cartilage and numerous systemic side effects such as increases in blood glucose levels, a reduction in immune function, and an increased risk of infections.

LIMITATIONS
English only articles were reviewed. No attempt was made to perform a formal statistical or meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS
The current evidence would suggest that the use of corticosteroids provides moderate evidence for short-term pain reduction and improvement in function. There are multiple potential adverse effects, such as toxic damage to articular cartilage, as well as numerous systemic side effects, including a reduction in immune function and an increased risk of infection, of which physicians need to be aware.

Stone|Shane|S|
Malanga|Gerard A|GA|
Capella|Teresa|T|

corticosteroids
adverse effects
joint
pain
arthritis
immune function
infections
Cortisone


Astragaloside positively regulated osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis is a widespread chronic disease characterized by low bone density. There is currently no gold standard treatment for osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of Astragaloside on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

METHODS
MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into control and different dose of Astragaloside (10, 20, 40, 50, and 60 μg/ml). Then, ALP and ARS staining were performed to identify the effects of Astragaloside for early and late osteogenic capacity of MC3T3-E1 cells, respectively. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to assess the ALP, OCN, and OSX expression. PI3K/Akt signaling pathway molecules were then assessed by Western blot. Finally, PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, was implemented to assess the mechanism of Astragaloside in promoting osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

RESULTS
Astragaloside significantly increased the cell viability than the control group. Moreover, Astragaloside enhanced the ALP activity and calcium deposition than the control groups. Compared with the control group, Astragaloside increased the ALP, OCN, and OSX expression in a dose-response manner. Western blot assay further confirmed the real-time PCR results. Astragaloside could significantly increase the p-PI3K and p-Akt expression than the control group. LY294002 partially reversed the promotion effects of Astragaloside on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. LY294002 partially reversed the promotion effects of Astragaloside on ALP, OCN, and OSX of MC3T3-E1 cells.

CONCLUSION
The present study suggested that Astragaloside promoted osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Jing|Wei Bing|WB|
Ji|Hongjuan|H|
Jiang|Rui|R|
Wang|Jinlong|J|

Astragaloside
Osteoporosis
MC3T3-E1 cells
PI3K/Akt pathway


Abnormal Ca2+ handling contributes to the impairment of aortic smooth muscle contractility in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

Abstract: Vascular dysfunction is a common pathological basis for complications in individuals affected by diabetes. Previous studies have established that endothelial dysfunction is the primary contributor to vascular complications in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, the role of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vascular complications associated with T2DM is still not completely understood. The aim of this study is to explore the potential mechanisms associated with Ca2+ handling dysfunction and how this dysfunction contributes to diabetic vascular smooth muscle impairment. The results indicated that endothelium-dependent vasodilation was impaired in diabetic aortae, but endothelium-independent vasodilation was not altered. Various vasoconstrictors such as phenylephrine, U46619 and 5-HT could induce vasoconstriction in a concentration-dependent manner, such that the dose-response curve was parallel shifted to the right in diabetic aortae, compared to the control. Vasoconstrictions mediated by L-type calcium (Cav1.2) channels were attenuated in diabetic aortae, but effects mediated by store-operated calcium (SOC) channels were enhanced. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in VSMCs was detected by Fluo-4 calcium fluorescent probes, and demonstrated that SOC-mediated Ca2+ entry was increased in diabetic VSMCs. VSMC-specific knockout of STIM1 genes decreased SOC-mediated and phenylephrine-induced vasoconstrictive response in mice aortae. Additionally, Orai1 expression was up-regulated, Cav1.2 expression was downregulated, and the phenotypic transformation of diabetic VSMCs was determined in diabetic aortae. The overexpression of Orai1 markedly promoted the OPN expression of VSMCs, whereas SKF96365 (SOC channel blocker) reversed the phenotypic transformation of diabetic VSMCs. Our results demonstrated that the vasoconstriction response of aortic smooth muscle was weakened in type 2 diabetic rats, which was related to the downregulation of the Cav1.2 channel and the up-regulation of the SOC channel signaling pathway.

Yang|Hui|H| Chen|Xiao-Yan|XY| Kuang|Su-Juan|SJ| Zhou|Meng-Yuan|MY| Zhang|Li|L| Zeng|Zheng|Z| Liu|Lin|L| Wu|Fei-Long|FL| Zhang|Meng-Zhen|MZ| Mai|Li-Ping|LP| Yang|Min|M| Xue|Yu-Mei|YM| Rao|Fang|F| Deng|Chun-Yu|CY|

D000071737:Stromal Interaction Molecule 1

Type 2 diabetes
Smooth muscle cells
Calcium channel
Vasocontractile dysfunction


Lung ultrasonography in end-stage renal disease: moving from evidence to practice-a narrative review.

Abstract: Traditionally, point of care ultrasonography in nephrology has been used for renal biopsies and dialysis line placement. However, there is an emerging literature supporting the value of point of care lung ultrasonography in the assessment of volume status for dialysis patients. We conducted a review and identified 12 studies that examined the utility of lung ultrasonography in assessing volume status in patients with end-stage renal disease. We conclude that lung ultrasonography can be used to determine volume status in chronic dialysis patients by identifying lung congestion using the B-line score. Incorporating this technique into practice may have significant diagnostic and prognostic value for this high-risk population, as it provides the nephrologist with a useful bedside technique to assess extravascular lung water. Developing competence in lung ultrasonography is straightforward. The nephrology community should consider adding this useful tool into fellowship training, paralleling its broader use in other internal medicine specialties.

Ross|Daniel W|DW|
Abbasi|Mohammed M|MM|
Jhaveri|Kenar D|KD|
Sachdeva|Mala|M|
Miller|Ilene|I|
Barnett|Richard|R|
Narasimhan|Mangala|M|
Mayo|Paul|P|
Merzkani|Massini|M|
Mathew|Anna T|AT|

lung ultrasonography
fellowship
lung ultrasonography in nephrology
ultrasonography in dialysis
volume assessment


Contributions of contour frequency, amplitude, and luminance to the watercolor effect estimated by conjoint measurement.

Abstract: The watercolor effect is a long-range, assimilative, filling-in phenomenon induced by a pair of distant, wavy contours of different chromaticities. Here, we measured joint influences of the contour frequency and amplitude and the luminance of the interior contour on the strength of the effect. Contour pairs, each enclosing a circular region, were presented with two of the dimensions varying independently across trials (luminance/frequency, luminance/amplitude, frequency/amplitude) in a conjoint measurement paradigm (Luce & Tukey, 1964). In each trial, observers judged which of the stimuli evoked the strongest fill-in color. Control stimuli were identical except that the contours were intertwined and generated little filling-in. Perceptual scales were estimated by a maximum likelihood method (Ho, Landy, & Maloney, 2008). An additive model accounted for the joint contributions of any pair of dimensions. As shown previously using difference scaling (Devinck & Knoblauch, 2012), the strength increases with luminance of the interior contour. The strength of the phenomenon was nearly independent of the amplitude of modulation of the contour but increased with its frequency up to an asymptotic level. On average, the strength of the effect was similar along a given dimension regardless of the other dimension with which it was paired, demonstrating consistency of the underlying estimated perceptual scales.

Gerardin|Peggy|P| Devinck|Frédéric|F| Dojat|Michel|M| Knoblauch|Kenneth|K|

watercolor effect
conjoint measurement
assimilation
filling-in
scaling
color vision
psychophysics


Prevalence and Risk Factors of Human Intestinal Parasites in Roudehen, Tehran Province, Iran.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections and health problems worldwide. Due to the lack of epidemiologic information of such infections, the prevalence of, and the risk factors for, enteric parasites were investigated in residents of Roudehen, Tehran Province, Iran.

METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 561 triple fecal samples were collected through a two-stage cluster-sampling protocol from Jun to Dec 2014. The samples were examined by formalin-ether concentration, culture, and with molecular methods.

RESULTS
The prevalence of enteric parasites was 32.7% (95% CI 27.3-38). Blastocystis sp. was the most common intestinal protozoan (28.4%; 95% CI 23.7-33.0). The formalin-ether concentration and culture methods detected Blastocystis sp., Entamoeba coli, Giardia intestinalis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Iodamoeba butschlii, Entamoeba complex cysts or trophozoite, Chilomastix mesnilii, and Enterobius vermicularis. Single-round PCR assay for Entamoeba complex were identified Entamoeba dispar and E. moshkovskii. E. histolytica was not observed in any specimen. Multivariate analysis showed a significant association of parasites with water source and close animal contact. There was no correlation between infections and gender, age, occupation, education, or travel history. Protozoan infections were more common than helminth infections.

CONCLUSION
This study revealed a high prevalence of enteric protozoan parasite infection among citizens of Rodehen. As most of the species detected are transmitted through a water-resistant cyst, public and individual education on personal hygiene should be considered to reduce transmission of intestinal parasites in the population.

Hemmati|Nasrin|N|
Razmjou|Elham|E|
Hashemi-Hafshejani|Saeideh|S|
Motevalian|Abbas|A|
Akhlaghi|Lameh|L|
Meamar|Ahmad Reza|AR|

Prevalence
Intestinal parasite
Blastocystis
Entamoeba
Protozoa


Tropism and pathogenicity of rickettsiae.

Abstract: Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular parasitic bacteria that cause febrile exanthematous illnesses such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Mediterranean spotted fever, epidemic, and murine typhus, etc. Although the vector ranges of each Rickettsia species are rather restricted; i.e., ticks belonging to Arachnida and lice and fleas belonging to Insecta usually act as vectors for spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae, respectively, it would be interesting to elucidate the mechanisms controlling the vector tropism of rickettsiae. This review discusses the factors determining the vector tropism of rickettsiae. In brief, the vector tropism of rickettsiae species is basically consistent with their tropism toward cultured tick and insect cells. The mechanisms responsible for rickettsiae pathogenicity are also described. Recently, genomic analyses of rickettsiae have revealed that they possess several genes that are homologous to those affecting the pathogenicity of other bacteria. Analyses comparing the genomes of pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of rickettsiae have detected many factors that are related to rickettsial pathogenicity. It is also known that a reduction in the rickettsial genome has occurred during the course of its evolution. Interestingly, Rickettsia species with small genomes, such as Rickettsia prowazekii, are more pathogenic to humans than those with larger genomes. This review also examines the growth kinetics of pathogenic and non-pathogenic species of SFG rickettsiae (SFGR) in mammalian cells. The growth of non-pathogenic species is restricted in these cells, which is mediated, at least in part, by autophagy. The superinfection of non-pathogenic rickettsiae-infected cells with pathogenic rickettsiae results in an elevated yield of the non-pathogenic rickettsiae and the growth of the pathogenic rickettsiae. Autophagy is restricted in these cells. These results are discussed in this review.

tropism
pathogenicity
Rickettsia
vector
tick
spotted fever group
typhus group
insect


Probiotic modulation of dendritic cells co-cultured with intestinal epithelial cells.

Abstract:
AIM
To investigate cytokine production and cell surface phenotypes of dendritic cells (DC) in the presence of epithelial cells stimulated by probiotics.

METHODS
Mouse DC were cultured alone or together with mouse epithelial cell monolayers in normal or inverted systems and were stimulated with heat-killed probiotic bacteria, Bifidobacterium lactis AD011 (BL), Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 (BB), Lactobacillus casei IBS041 (LC), and Lactobacillus acidophilus AD031 (LA), for 12 h. Cytokine levels in the culture supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and phenotypic analysis of DC was investigated by flow cytometry.

RESULTS
BB and LC in single-cultured DC increased the expression of I-Ad, CD86 and CD40 (I-Ad, 18.51 vs 30.88, 46.11; CD86, 62.74 vs 92.7, 104.12; CD40, 0.67 vs 6.39, 3.37, P < 0.05). All of the experimental probiotics increased the production of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. However, in the normal co-culture systems, LC and LA decreased the expression of I-A(d) (39.46 vs 30.32, 33.26, P < 0.05), and none of the experimental probiotics increased the levels of IL-6 or TNF-α. In the inverted co-culture systems, LC decreased the expression of CD40 (1.36 vs -2.27, P < 0.05), and all of the experimental probiotics decreased the levels of IL-6. In addition, BL increased the production of IL-10 (103.8 vs 166.0, P < 0.05) and LC and LA increased transforming growth factor-β secretion (235.9 vs 618.9, 607.6, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
These results suggest that specific probiotic strains exert differential immune modulation mediated by the interaction of dendritic cells and epithelial cells in the homeostasis of gastrointestinal tract.

Kim|Ji Yeun|JY|
Park|Myeong Soo|MS|
Ji|Geun Eog|GE|

Probiotics
Dendritic cells
Co-culture
Intestinal epithelial cells
Immune modulation


The PRECIS-2 tool has good interrater reliability and modest discriminant validity.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
PRagmatic Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary (PRECIS)-2 is a tool that could improve design insight for trialists. Our aim was to validate the PRECIS-2 tool, unlike its predecessor, testing the discriminant validity and interrater reliability.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING
Over 80 international trialists, methodologists, clinicians, and policymakers created PRECIS-2 helping to ensure face validity and content validity. The interrater reliability of PRECIS-2 was measured using 19 experienced trialists who used PRECIS-2 to score a diverse sample of 15 randomized controlled trial protocols. Discriminant validity was tested with two raters to independently determine if the trial protocols were more pragmatic or more explanatory, with scores from the 19 raters for the 15 trials as predictors of pragmatism.

RESULTS
Interrater reliability was generally good, with seven of nine domains having an intraclass correlation coefficient over 0.65. Flexibility (adherence) and recruitment had wide confidence intervals, but raters found these difficult to rate and wanted more information. Each of the nine PRECIS-2 domains could be used to differentiate between trials taking more pragmatic or more explanatory approaches with better than chance discrimination for all domains.

CONCLUSION
We have assessed the validity and reliability of PRECIS-2. An elaboration study and web site provide guidance to help future users of the tool which is continuing to be tested by trial teams, systematic reviewers, and funders.

Loudon|Kirsty|K|
Zwarenstein|Merrick|M|
Sullivan|Frank M|FM|
Donnan|Peter T|PT|
Gágyor|Ildikó|I|
Hobbelen|Hans J S M|HJSM|
Althabe|Fernando|F|
Krishnan|Jerry A|JA|
Treweek|Shaun|S|

D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Face validity
Randomized controlled trials
Validity and reliability
Clinical trial methodology
Pragmatic clinical trial
Trial design


Rearward-Facing Infant Child Restraint Systems with Support Legs in Frontal and Frontal-Oblique Impacts.

Abstract: Previous studies of support legs in rearward-facing infant CRS models have focused on frontal impacts and have found that the presence of a support leg is associated with a reduction in head injury metrics. However, real-world crashes often involve an oblique principal direction of force. The current study used sled tests to evaluate the effectiveness of support legs in rearward-facing infant CRS models for frontal and frontal-oblique impacts with and without a simulated front row seatback. Frontal and frontal-oblique impact sled tests were conducted using the simulated Consumer Reports test method with and without the blocker plate, which was developed to represent a front row seatback. The Q1.5 anthropomorphic test device (ATD) was seated in rearward-facing infant CRS models, which were tested with and without support legs. The presence of a support leg was associated with significant reductions of head injury metrics below injury tolerance limits for all tests, which supports the findings of previous studies. The presence of a support leg was also associated with significant reductions of peak neck tensile force. The presence of the blocker plate resulted in greater head injury metrics compared to tests without the blocker plate, but the result was non-significant. However, the fidelity of the interaction between the CRS and blocker plate as an adequate representation of the interaction that would occur in a real vehicle is not well understood. The findings from the current study continue to support the benefit of support legs in managing the energy of impact for a child in a rearward-facing CRS.

Patton|Declan A|DA|
Belwadi|Aditya N|AN|
Maheshwari|Jalaj|J|
Arbogast|Kristy B|KB|

child restraint
sled testing
anthropomorphic test device
motor vehicle crash


Correlation of higher order aberrations and components of astigmatism in myopic refractive surgery candidates.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
To evaluate the correlation between refractive, corneal, and residual astigmatism and higher order aberrations (HOA) in refractive surgery candidates.

METHODS
Three hundred and seventy-five eyes of 188 patients aged 28.2 ± 6.24 years with a predominance of females (62.7%) were enrolled in this study. Refraction, topography (Orbscan IIz, Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA), and aberrometry (Zywave, Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA) were performed to determine refractive and corneal astigmatism and HOA for all participants. Ocular residual astigmatism was calculated using vector analysis.

RESULTS
The mean spherical equivalent was -3.59 ± 1.95 D and the mean refractive astigmatism was -1.97 ± 1.3 D. The mean HOA was 0.38 ± 0.15 μm in all cases, which increased with spherical equivalent (p < 0.05). There was a positive significant correlation between both corneal and refractive astigmatism and HOA (p < 0.05), but there was no significant correlation between residual astigmatism and HOA (p = 0.122).

CONCLUSION
The results of the study showed significant correlations between corneal and refractive astigmatisms and HOA.

Mohammadpour|Mehrdad|M| Heidari|Zahra|Z| Mohammad-Rabei|Hossein|H| Jafarzadehpur|Ebrahim|E| Jabbarvand|Mahmoud|M| Hashemi|Hassan|H| Khabazkhoob|Mehdi|M|

Higher order aberrations
Residual astigmatism
Zywave
Corneal astigmatism
Refractive astigmatism


Online social networking and addiction--a review of the psychological literature.

Abstract: Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact with real-life friends, and meet other people based on shared interests. They are seen as a 'global consumer phenomenon' with an exponential rise in usage within the last few years. Anecdotal case study evidence suggests that 'addiction' to social networks on the Internet may be a potential mental health problem for some users. However, the contemporary scientific literature addressing the addictive qualities of social networks on the Internet is scarce. Therefore, this literature review is intended to provide empirical and conceptual insight into the emerging phenomenon of addiction to SNSs by: (1) outlining SNS usage patterns, (2) examining motivations for SNS usage, (3) examining personalities of SNS users, (4) examining negative consequences of SNS usage, (5) exploring potential SNS addiction, and (6) exploring SNS addiction specificity and comorbidity. The findings indicate that SNSs are predominantly used for social purposes, mostly related to the maintenance of established offline networks. Moreover, extraverts appear to use social networking sites for social enhancement, whereas introverts use it for social compensation, each of which appears to be related to greater usage, as does low conscientiousness and high narcissism. Negative correlates of SNS usage include the decrease in real life social community participation and academic achievement, as well as relationship problems, each of which may be indicative of potential addiction.

social networking sites
literature review
motivations
personality
negative consequences
specificity
comorbidity
social network addiction


Factors affecting the physical and mental health of older adults in China: The importance of marital status, child proximity, and gender.

Abstract: Evidence is accumulating about the association between strong family ties and the emotional and physical welfare of older adults, and researchers have identified negative consequences of being unmarried, being childless, and/or living alone. These associations have been recognized in multiple contexts, including in Asia where living with a spouse and/or grown children has been shown in some studies to improve elderly well-being. Social support, especially family support, is expected to continue to be important where populations are aging and social safety nets are weak. Using longitudinal data from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the China Family Panel Studies, we focus on the effects of marital status at times 1 and 2, changes in marital status between the two surveys, and other family-related indicators of social connectedness on ratings of depression, levels of life satisfaction, and self-reported physical health among those aged 50 and over. Our sample includes 9831 respondents who have valid data on wellbeing indicators for Wave 1 and Wave 2, as well as complete information on the other covariates controlled in our analysis. In analyses of the full sample, those who were married at both points in time reported lower depression scores than those who were never-married, divorced, or widowed at both time points, and those whose unions dissolved in the interval. Those who were married at both times also generally reported greater levels of life satisfaction than those who were never married at both time points and those who became divorced during the interval. Important underlying gender differences are observed both for life satisfaction and depression. In addition, those who were married at both time points reported being in better physical health than those who became widowed during the interval (significant primarily for women), and those who had never been married (significant primarily for men). Our study contributes to the literature on social ties and the wellbeing by highlighting the importance of marital status and changing marital status, net of child co-residence and proximity, in China.

Williams|Lindy|L|
Zhang|Renling|R|
Packard|Kevin C|KC|

China
Marital status
Gender
Aging
Depression
Life-satisfaction
Self-reported health


The functional role of the medial motion area V6.

Abstract: In macaque, several visual areas are devoted to analyze motion in the visual field, and V6 is one of these areas. In macaque, area V6 occupies the ventral part of the anterior bank of the parieto-occipital sulcus (POs), is retinotopically-organized and contains a point-to-point representation of the retinal surface. V6 is a motion sensitive area that largely represents the peripheral part of the visual field and whose cells are very sensitive to translational motion. Based on the fact that macaque V6 contains many real-motion cells, it has been suggested that V6 is involved in object-motion recognition. Recently, area V6 has been recognized also in the human brain by neuroimaging and electrophysiological methods. Like macaque V6, human V6 is located in the POs, is retinotopically organized, and represents the entire contralateral hemifield up to the far periphery. Human V6, like macaque V6, is a motion area that responds to unidirectional motion. It has a strong preference for coherent motion and a recent combined VEPs/fMRI work has shown that area V6 is even one of the most early stations coding the motion coherence. Human V6 is highly sensitive to flow field and is also able to distinguish between different 3D flow fields being selective to translational egomotion. This suggests that this area processes visual egomotion signals to extract information about the relative distance of objects, likely in order to act on them, or to avoid them. The view that V6 is involved in the estimation of egomotion has been tested also in other recent fMRI studies. Thus, taken together, human and macaque data suggest that V6 is involved in both object and self-motion recognition. Specifically, V6 could be involved in "subtracting out" self-motion signals across the whole visual field and in providing information about moving objects, particularly during self-motion in a complex and dynamically unstable environment.

fMRI
MT/V5
cortical flattening
dorsal visual stream
optic flow
parieto-occipital cortex
visual topography
wide-field retinotopic mapping


Familial Pelger-Huet Anomaly.

Abstract: Pelger-Huet anomaly is usually autosomal dominant, although it is likely that new mutations are common. This condition is characterized by granulocytes that are either bilobed or completely unsegmented. Here is a report of a 46 year old Indian lady who presented with fever to the hospital and on evaluation, her peripheral blood smear showed extreme hypolobation of granulocytes. Along with normal appearing neutrophils there were many neutrophils with bilobed and single monolobated nuclei which accounted for 82 % of the neutrophils. After identifying these neutrophilic abnormalities which were suggestive of Pelgeroid changes, the other family members were also screened and were found to be having similar morphologic abnormalities in granulocytes. As these changes were evident in granulocytic leucocytes of the patient as well as her mother, both her sisters and her son, with exception of her brother, the diagnosis of familial Pelger-Huet Anomaly was considered in this case.

Shah|Samir S|SS|
Parikh|Rupali S|RS|
Vaswani|Lakshmi P|LP|
Divkar|Rajeshree|R|

Familial
Anomaly
Bilobed
Granulocytic leucocytes
Pelger–Huet
Pince–Nez


A novel interprofessional approach to end-of-life care education: A pilot study.

Abstract: Navigating the biomedical, emotional, and logistical complexity of end-of-life (EOL) care requires seamless interprofessional teamwork. Unfortunately, EOL care, interprofessional collaboration, and the role of support services such as hospice are not adequately emphasized in nursing and medical curricula. This article describes a student-run program, entitled the "HeArt of Medicine", which was designed to foster a reflective and collaborative approach to EOL care. The program consists of three workshops with a novel blend of art, science, and practical information, highlighting the need for interprofessional teamwork. Participants were surveyed before and after the workshops on their attitudes toward EOL care. Composite participant scores after workshops demonstrated increased comfort with and knowledge of EOL care topics (p = 0.001). The results show that this program has had a positive impact on participants' knowledge, comfort, and collaboration in EOL settings.

Sinha|Pranay|P|
Murphy|Susan Perrin|SP|
Becker|Chelsea Marie|CM|
Poarch|Hunter Jameson|HJ|
Gade|Kristine Elizabeth|KE|
Wolf|Alexander Thomas|AT|
Martindale|James Robert|JR|
Owen|John Alexander|JA|
Brashers|Valentina|V|

end-of-life care
Education
hospice
interprofessional nursing education
palliative care
undergraduate medical education


Comparative Analysis of the Complete Plastid Genome of Five Bupleurum Species and New Insights into DNA Barcoding and Phylogenetic Relationship.

Abstract: Bupleurum L. (Apiaceae) is a perennial and herbal genus, most species of which have high medicinal value. However, few studies have been performed using plastome data in this genus, and the phylogenetic relationships have always been controversial. In this study, the plastid genomes of Bupleurum chinense and Bupleurum commelynoideum were sequenced, and their gene content, order, and structure were counted and analyzed. The only three published Bupleurum species (B. boissieuanum, B. falcatum, and B. latissimum) and other fifteen allied species were selected to conduct a series of comparative and phylogenetic analyses. The genomes of B. chinense and B. commelynoideum were 155,869 and 155,629 bp in length, respectively, both of which had a typical quadripartite structure. The genome length, structure, guanine and cytosine (GC) content, and gene distribution were highly similar to the other three Bupleurum species. The five Bupleurum species had nearly the same codon usages, and eight regions (petN-psbM, rbcL-accD, ccsA-ndhD, trnK(UUU)-rps16, rpl32-trnL(UAG)-ccsA, petA-psbJ, ndhF-rpl32, and trnP(UGG)-psaJ-rpl33) were found to possess relatively higher nucleotide diversity, which may be the promising DNA barcodes in Bupleurum. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all Bupleurum species clustered into a monophyletic clade with high bootstrap support and diverged after the Chamaesium clade. Overall, our study provides new insights into DNA barcoding and phylogenetic relationship between Bupleurum and its related genera, and will facilitate the population genomics, conservation genetics, and phylogenetics of Bupleurum in Apiaceae.

Li|Jun|J| Xie|Deng-Feng|DF|0000-0002-9244-456X Guo|Xian-Lin|XL| Zheng|Zhen-Ying|ZY| He|Xing-Jin|XJ|0000-0003-2064-0112 Zhou|Song-Dong|SD|

comparative analysis
plastid genome
Bupleurum
DNA barcoding
Apiaceae
phylogeny


Evaluation of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 as a Screening Tool for Depression during the Acute Stroke Admission.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The ideal time to screen for poststroke depression remains uncertain. We evaluated the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) as a screening tool for depression during the acute stroke admission by determining the prevalence of positive depression screen during admission and by calculating the level of agreement between positive screens during admission and follow-up.

METHODS
This was a retrospective cohort of adult stroke survivors discharged January to December 2013 with principal discharge diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage. Depression screening was systematically performed during the hospital admission using the PHQ-2. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), which includes the PHQ-2, was completed by patients at outpatient follow-up.

RESULTS
The study cohort consisted of 337 patients with mean age of 66.3 years. Median time from admission to PHQ-2 was 3 days (interquartile range 1-4 days). The screen was positive for depression in 4.7% (95% confidence interval 2.7%-7.6%) of patients. Of the 150 patients with PHQ-9 data at outpatient follow up, 19.3% screened positive for depression. In both the inpatient setting and at outpatient follow-up, the prevalence of a positive depression screen was similar between patients with and without a history of depression or antidepressant use.

CONCLUSIONS
Systematic screening for depression using PHQ-2 during hospitalization for acute stroke identified few patients. Most patients with depressive symptoms were identified only at the time of outpatient follow-up. Further study is needed to evaluate the usefulness of other depression screens for stroke patients in the acute hospital setting and the optimal timing for depression screening after stroke.

Shankar|Lakshmi|L|
Smith|Nicole|N|
Uchino|Ken|K|
Thompson|Nicolas R|NR|
Pozuelo|Leopoldo|L|
Katzan|Irene L|IL|

depression
Stroke
hospital admission
quality improvement


Predictive factors of gastroduodenal bleeding after postoperative radiotherapy in biliary tract cancer.

Abstract:
Objective
To identify predictive factors for gastroduodenal bleeding after postoperative radiation therapy in patients with biliary tract cancer.

Methods
We identified 186 patients with biliary tract cancer who completed scheduled postoperative radiation therapy from March 2000 to August 2013. To isolate the effects of radiation on gastroduodenal bleeding, patients with pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, pylorus-resecting pancreaticoduodenectomy or Whipple surgery (n = 67) were excluded from this analysis. Postoperative radiation therapy was started at a median 5 weeks (range: 4-12 weeks) after surgery with a median dose of 44 Gy (range: 44-54), and chemotherapy was also concurrently administered to 102 patients.

Results
The median age of the patients was 59 years (range: 36-76 years). Of the 119 patients, 26 had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 29 had hilar cholangiocarcinoma, while 64 had extrahepatic tumors (gallbladder cancer, n = 53; proximal bile duct cancer, n = 10; choledochal cyst cancer, n = 1). Of all, 11 patients (9%) developed gastroduodenal bleeding. In univariate analyses, hepatic artery resection and gastroduodenal wall thickening on postoperative radiation therapy simulation computed tomography were statistically significant factors for gastroduodenal bleeding. Multivariate analysis by a logistic regression model using those two variables revealed that both parameters were independent predictors for gastroduodenal bleeding.

Conclusions
Concomitant hepatic artery resection and presence of gastroduodenal wall thickening on postoperative radiation therapy simulation computed tomography were predictive factors for gastroduodenal bleeding after postoperative radiation therapy in biliary tract cancer. In such cases, patients should be informed of the high risk of gastroduodenal bleeding, and should be closely observed during and after postoperative radiation therapy.

Lee|Jieun|J|
Lim|Do Hoon|DH|
Park|Hee Chul|HC|
Yu|Jeong Il|JI|
Choi|Dong Wook|DW|
Choi|Seong Ho|SH|
Heo|Jin Seok|JS|

bleeding
biliary tract neoplasm
chemoradiotherapy
toxicity


Marine invertebrate and seaweed biodiversity of continental coastal Ecuador.

Abstract: This study summarises the diversity of living macroinvertebrates and seaweeds from the intertidal and subtidal rocky shores along Ecuadorian continental coast. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities and seaweeds were quantified over quadrants (50 × 50 cm) randomly placed on transects of 50 m length. A checklist of 612 species was generated: 479 species of macroinvertebrates and 133 species of seaweeds. Groups recorded were Mollusca (184 species), Cnidaria (70), Arthropoda (68), Annelida (60), Echinodermata (42), Chordata (18), Bryozoa (13), Porifera (22), Sipuncula (2), Brachiopoda and Platyhelminthes (only identified as morphotypes). The seaweeds were represented by Rhodophyta (78), Chlorophyta (37), Ochrophyta (13), Cyanobacteria (5) and 19 biotic complexes. Furthermore, 22 new taxa and six alien species were recorded from the intertidal zone. This study provides the first large scale report of benthic communities in different marine coastal ecosystems in mainland Ecuador, covering 1,478 km2 of protected areas and 382 km2 of non-protected areas. The highest benthic diversity was registered in the protected areas and rocky shores from the intertidal zone. The biological data, herein reported, are useful for a long-term monitoring programme to evaluate the status of conservation and to detect rapid changes in the benthic biodiversity from coastal areas.

subtidal
Benthos
Ecuadorian coast
intertidal rocky shores
marine protected areas.


Selecting microhaplotypes optimized for different purposes.

Abstract: Massively parallel sequencing is transforming forensic work by allowing various useful forensic markers, such as STRPs and SNPs, to be multiplexed providing information on ancestry, individual and familial identification, phenotypes for eye/hair/skin pigmentation, and the deconvolution of mixtures. Microhaplotypes also become feasible with massively parallel sequencing, these are DNA segments (smaller than 300 nucleotides) that are selected to contain multiple SNPs unambiguously defining three or more haplotype alleles occurring at common frequencies. The physical extent of a microhaplotype can thus be covered by a single sequence read making these loci phase-known codominant genetic systems. Such microhaplotypes supply significantly more information than a single SNP can. Our efforts to develop useful sets of microhaplotypes have already identified 182 such loci that we have studied on a large number of human populations from around the world. We present various analyses on 83 populations in our ongoing study for a subset of the best microhaplotypes currently available illustrating their characteristics and potential utility for ancestry, identification, and mixture deconvolution.

Kidd|Kenneth K|KK|0000-0003-4044-6384
Pakstis|Andrew J|AJ|
Speed|William C|WC|
Lagace|Robert|R|
Wootton|Sharon|S|
Chang|Joseph|J|

Microhaplotype
Sequencing
Forensic
Ancestry
Identification
Single nucleotide polymorphism


Effects of virgin olive oil and grape seed oil on physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of pectin-gelatin blend emulsified films.

Abstract: The active emulsified blend films based on gelatin-pectin (5% w/w) containing virgin olive oil (VOO) (0.1-0.3 g/g biopolymer) and grape seed oil (GSO) (0.1-0.3 g/g biopolymer) were prepared by casting method. GSO showed slightly more decreasing effect than VOO on ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and strain at break (SAB) of blend films however; VOO had more reducing effect than GSO on the water vapor permeability (WVP). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that incorporating 0.3 g GSO and VOO oils had not considerable effect on the morphology of the emulsified films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) topography images indicated that adding of oils considerably could increase roughness of emulsified film. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) revealed that no new chemical bond formed by adding oils into biopolymer matrix. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of VOO, GSO and Savory essential oil (SEO) against four important spoilage bacteria showed that GSO had higher antibacterial effect than VOO however; both showed very lower antimicrobial effect than SEO. All active films showed lower inhibitory zone for S. aureus than S. typhimurium and P. fluorescence. The chicken breast fillets wrapped in the films containing VOO-GSO-SEO (0.15-0.15-0.02 g/g polymer) showed considerably lower total viable count (TVC), Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli 157:H7 and S. typhimurium count than the control one during 12 days storage. Also, it caused significant decrease in peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) of fillet samples.

Khah|Mehran Dolat|MD|
Ghanbarzadeh|Babak|B|
Roufegarinejad Nezhad|Leila|L|
Ostadrahimi|Alireza|A|

D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

Virgin olive oil
Grape seed oil
Antimicrobial property
Emulsified blend film