Validity of tuberculous pleuritis diagnosed in a resource-constrained setting in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.

Abstract:
CONTEXT
Majority of the Indians live in rural areas where resource constrained settings depend on cheaper and less invasive tests to diagnose extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The decline in prevalence of TB in the country could affect the validity of the diagnosis. The aim was to measure validity of the pleural fluid study of proteins, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cell counts in diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a 300 bedded secondary care hospital in rural Tamil Nadu. Exhaustive sampling was performed during April 2013 to March 2014. Pleural fluid study of 54 patients with exudative pleural effusion was conducted. Diagnosis was established by closed needle pleural biopsy. Receiver operator curves were plotted and area under curve (AUC) was calculated for various parameters. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated for different cut-off values of the parameter with significant AUC.

RESULTS
Prevalence of tuberculous pleural effusion was 56% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] - 42.5-69.5%). Lymphocyte predominance in pleural fluid was the only valid test, and cut-off >80% had sensitivity of 70.0% (95% CI - 53.3-86.7%) and specificity of 70.8% (95% CI - 52.2-89.4%). Pleural fluid pH, protein or its ratio with serum protein, sugar, total leukocyte count, LDH or its ratio with serum LDH; erythrocyte sedimentation rate were not valid screening tests.

CONCLUSIONS
Lymphocyte predominance > 80% can be used as a marker of tuberculous pleuritis. Since the prevalence of tuberculous pleuritis in India has come down considerably, newer tests need to be included to make a valid diagnosis.

Chennaiyan|Baranidharan|B|
Bhatt|Arun N|AN|
Kancherla|Roopa|R|
Kuriakose|Cijoy K|CK|
Dev|Anand Vimal|AV|
Philip|George A|GA|

tuberculous pleuritis
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis
tuberculosis
pleural tuberculosis


Transformed Waldenström macroglobulinaemia: clinical presentation and outcome. A multi-institutional retrospective study of 77 cases from the French Innovative Leukemia Organization (FILO).

Abstract: Histological transformation (HT) to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare and poorly reported complication of Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM). We performed a retrospective study of 77 WM patients with biopsy-proven transformation to DLBCL. The median time from WM diagnosis to HT was 4·6 years and 16 patients (21%) had never been treated for WM. At HT, extranodal sites were observed in 91% of patients with a rather high incidence of central nervous system, cutaneous or testicular involvement. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography was performed in half of the patients and the median maximum standardized uptake value was 15 for transformed disease. More than 80% of cases with available data for assessment by the Hans' algorithm harboured a non-germinal centre B-cell phenotype. First-line treatment for transformation consisted of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone)-like regimen in 85% of patients. The overall response rate after first-line treatment was 61% and the median overall survival was only 16 months for the entire cohort. Time to transformation above 5 years (P = 0·0004) and elevated LDH (P = 0·02) were associated with worse outcome. Based on these findings, HT should be considered and lead to a biopsy in WM patients presenting with extranodal involvement, elevated LDH and constitutional symptoms. The optimal therapeutic approaches remain to be defined.

Durot|Eric|E|0000-0003-3463-0089
Tomowiak|Cécile|C|
Michallet|Anne-Sophie|AS|
Dupuis|Jehan|J|
Hivert|Bénédicte|B|
Leprêtre|Stéphane|S|
Toussaint|Elise|E|
Godet|Sophie|S|
Merabet|Fatiha|F|
Van Den Neste|Eric|E|
Ivanoff|Sarah|S|
Roussel|Xavier|X|
Zini|Jean-Marc|JM|
Regny|Caroline|C|
Lemal|Richard|R|
Sutton|Laurent|L|
Perrot|Aurore|A|
Le Dû|Katell|K|
Kanagaratnam|Lukshe|L|
Morel|Pierre|P|
Leblond|Véronique|V|
Delmer|Alain|A|

D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols

Waldenström macroglobulinaemia
histological transformation
diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
extranodal involvement
chemoimmunotherapy


Association of thymosin β4 expression with clinicopathological parameters and clinical outcomes of bladder cancer patients.

Abstract: The clinical significance of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) expression in bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC) remains unclear. The present study assessed the relationship between the expression of Tβ4 protein and the clinicopathological features, as well as the prognosis of bladder cancer patients. Tβ4 protein expression in 24 normal bladder and 138 primary BTCC tissue specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the association of this expression with BTCC clinicopathological features and recurrence as well as patient survival was analyzed. Tβ4 expression was significantly stronger in BTCC patients than in normal volunteers. The expression of Tβ4 was significantly associated with differentiation capability, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.025, 0.043, and 0.039, respectively). Moreover, Tβ4 expression was positively correlated with integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and β-catenin expression (P = 0.042, 0.031, respectively) and inversely correlated with E-cadherin expression (P = 0.022). In the present cohort of bladder cancer patients, Tβ4 expression was found to be a predictor of poor survival (P < 0.05); however, high Tβ4 expression exhibited unfavorable prognostic value for recurrence. These data suggested that Tβ4 is correlated with the pathogenesis of BTCC. In addition, the patients with higher Tβ4 expression had a shorter survival.

Wang|Z Y|ZY|
Zhang|W|W|
Yang|J J|JJ|
Song|D K|DK|
Wei|J X|JX|
Gao|S|S|

thymosin β4
bladder cancer
prognosis
immunohistochemistry
epithelial to mesenchymal transition
integrin-linked kinase E-cadherin.


Exercise participation has increased in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A cross-sectional comparison between two Dutch RA cohorts.

Abstract:
Objective
This study evaluates exercise participation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the percentage of patients that meet the recommended level of physical activity (at least 150 minutes per week moderate-intensity physical activity) in two cross-sectional questionnaires in 2013 and 2016 in two Dutch RA cohorts.

Methods
In 2013, a cross-sectional study was performed among 740 patients with RA from seven outpatient clinics from the Dutch DREAM registry. Subsequently in 2016, 498 patients with RA of the outpatient clinic of the Bernhoven Hospital (member of the DREAM registry) participated in a similar study. In both years, patients filled in an identical questionnaire about exercise participation (frequency and duration). In 2016, items about self-efficacy to become more physically active were added to the questionnaire.

Results
In 2016, patients with RA spent significantly more minutes per week in exercise activities compared to 2013: 180 (150-450) and 120 (60-225) minutes per week, respectively (P<0.001). The percentage of patients with RA who met the recommended physical activity level increased from 25% in 2013 to 57% in 2016. Almost half (44%) of the non-exercisers reported feeling confident to become more physically active.

Conclusion
Compared to 2013, RA patients participated in 2016 more frequently and spent more minutes per week in exercise activities. This resulted in a higher percentage of patients who met the recommended physical activity level. A personalized physical activity program, with a focus on identifying barriers and setting personal goals, might further increase the physical activity level of patients with RA.

Weijers|Julia M|JM|
Rongen-van Dartel|Sanne A A|SAA|
van Riel|Piet L C M|PLCM|

Exercise participation
rheumatoid arthritis
recommendation
physical activity


Employee Age Alters the Effects of Justice on Emotional Exhaustion and Organizational Deviance.

Abstract: Fairness in the workplace attenuates a host of negative individual and organizational outcomes. However, research on the psychology of aging challenges the assumption that fairness operates similarly across different age groups. The current research explored how older workers, vis-à-vis younger workers, react to perceptions of fairness. Integrating socioemotional selectivity theory and the multiple needs theory of organizational justice, we generated novel predictions regarding the relations between perceptions of workplace justice, emotional exhaustion, and employee deviance. Specifically, we hypothesized and found that employee age moderates the negative relation between justice facets and deviance (Study 1) and emotional exhaustion (Study 2). We also found that emotional exhaustion mediates the differential effects of justice on deviance, and that this relation depends on employee age (Study 2). Relative to younger workers, older workers are more sensitive to informational and interpersonal justice; in contrast, relative to older workers, younger workers are more sensitive to distributive and procedural justice. The research supports and extends existing theory on organizational justice and on the psychology of aging. Moreover, it highlights the importance of considering employee age as a focal variable of interest in the study of justice processes, and in organizational research more generally.

Brienza|Justin P|JP|
Bobocel|D Ramona|DR|

employee age
emotional exhaustion
deviance
organizational justice
instrumental and relational needs


Urodynamic function during sleep-like brain states in urethane anesthetized rats.

Abstract: The aim was to investigate urodynamic parameters and functional excitability of the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) during changes in sleep-like brain states in urethane anesthetized rats. Simultaneous recordings of detrusor pressure, external urethral sphincter (EUS) electromyogram (EMG), cortical electroencephalogram (EEG), and single-unit activity in the PAG were made during repeated voiding induced by continuous infusion of saline into the bladder. The EEG cycled between synchronized, high-amplitude slow wave activity (SWA) and desynchronized low-amplitude fast activity similar to slow wave and 'activated' sleep-like brain states. During (SWA, 0.5-1.5 Hz synchronized oscillation of the EEG waveform) voiding became more irregular than in the 'activated' brain state (2-5 Hz low-amplitude desynchronized EEG waveform) and detrusor void pressure threshold, void volume threshold and the duration of bursting activity in the external urethral sphincter EMG were raised. The spontaneous firing rate of 23/52 neurons recorded within the caudal PAG and adjacent tegmentum was linked to the EEG state, with the majority of responsive cells (92%) firing more slowly during SWA. Almost a quarter of the cells recorded (12/52) showed phasic changes in firing rate that were linked to the occurrence of voids. Inhibition (n=6), excitation (n=4) or excitation/inhibition (n=2) was seen. The spontaneous firing rate of 83% of the micturition-responsive cells was sensitive to changes in EEG state. In nine of the 12 responsive cells (75%) the responses were reduced during SWA. We propose that during different sleep-like brain states changes in urodynamic properties occur which may be linked to changing excitability of the micturition circuitry in the periaqueductal gray.

urethane
rat
periaqueductal gray
micturition
bladder urodynamics
sleep-like EEG state


Simple rapid in vitro screening method for SARS-CoV-2 anti-virals that identifies potential cytomorbidity-associated false positives.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The international SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in an urgent need to identify new anti-viral drugs for treatment of COVID-19. The initial step to identifying potential candidates usually involves in vitro screening that includes standard cytotoxicity controls. Under-appreciated is that viable, but stressed or otherwise compromised cells, can also have a reduced capacity to replicate virus. A refinement proposed herein for in vitro drug screening thus includes a simple growth assay to identify drug concentrations that cause cellular stress or "cytomorbidity", as distinct from cytotoxicity or loss of viability.

METHODS
A simple rapid bioassay is presented for antiviral drug screening using Vero E6 cells and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 induced cytopathic effects (CPE) measured using crystal violet staining. We use high cell density for cytotoxicity assays, and low cell density for cytomorbidity assays.

RESULTS
The assay clearly illustrated the anti-viral activity of remdesivir, a drug known to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication. In contrast, nitazoxanide, oleuropein, cyclosporine A and ribavirin all showed no ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 CPE. Hydroxychloroquine, cyclohexamide, didemnin B, γ-mangostin and linoleic acid were all able to inhibit viral CPE at concentrations that did not induce cytotoxicity. However, these drugs inhibited CPE at concentrations that induced cytomorbidity, indicating non-specific anti-viral activity.

CONCLUSIONS
We describe the methodology for a simple in vitro drug screening assay that identifies potential anti-viral drugs via their ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2-induced CPE. The additional growth assay illustrated how several drugs display anti-viral activity at concentrations that induce cytomorbidity. For instance, hydroxychloroquine showed anti-viral activity at concentrations that slow cell growth, arguing that its purported in vitro anti-viral activity arises from non-specific impairment of cellular activities. The cytomorbidity assay can therefore rapidly exclude potential false positives.

Yan|Kexin|K|
Rawle|Daniel J|DJ|
Le|Thuy T|TT|
Suhrbier|Andreas|A|0000-0001-8986-9025

D000818:Animals
D000998:Antiviral Agents
D001681:Biological Assay
D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops
D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral
D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50
D000086402:SARS-CoV-2
D014709:Vero Cells
D014779:Virus Replication

SARS-CoV-2
Cytotoxicity
Drug screening
Cytomorbidity
Cytopathic effect


Separation and characterization of impurity P in azithromycin product.

Abstract: Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic which is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. Impurity P is one of the impurities in azithromycin product, which is registered in Pharmacopoeias of Europe and USA. However, to date, the structure of this impurity has still not been elucidated. In this work, we separated impurity P from azithromycin product using preparative chromatography and successfully identified its chemical structure using multiple analytical techniques. First, high-resolution ion trap-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (IT-TOF MS) was used to determine the accurate molecular mass ([M+H]+m/z 777.5121) and the chemical formula (C39H72N2O13) of the impurity. Second, Fourier transforming infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analyses were performed to probe into the key functional groups of the impurity to aid the NMR analysis. Finally, the structure of the impurity was successfully resolved using multidimensional NMR. In addition, a mechanism for the formation of this impurity was proposed.

Guo|Nian|N| He|Quan|Q| Jin|Yong|Y| Hou|Zhouke|Z| Pan|Yuanjiang|Y| Liu|Jian|J| Sun|Cuirong|C|

D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid

D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Impurity
Azithromycin
IT-TOF MS
MS/MS
Multidimensional NMR
Identification


The Impact of Performance-Based Scripts on Men's Sexual Communication to Peers.

Abstract: Gender norms related to sexual behavior have a pervasive impact on the psychosocial development of men. These norms have been theorized to influence the formation of male sexual scripts, including those that place high emphasis on performative abilities. While research has indicated that endorsing performance-based scripts can have negative consequences, little work has examined how this sexual ideology is communicated by men to their peer groups. Using structural equation modeling, the current study tested a model of openness to communicate sexual behavior that is incongruent with existing performance-based scripts. A sample of 424 men were recruited from a variety of Internet platforms to participate in a one-time online survey. Results demonstrated that endorsing performance-based scripts impeded men's ability to discuss sexual behavior with male peers, female peers, and sexual partners. Men's lack of transparency about particular sexual experiences may be contributing to harmful narratives that rigidly emphasize sexual performance.

Sexual communication
Male sexuality
Sexual performance
Sexual script theory


Frequency of Plexiform Fibromyxoma relative to gastrointestinal stromal tumor: A single center study.

Abstract: Plexiform Fibromyxoma (PF) is an exceedingly rare mesenchymal tumor of the gastric antrum that was first described in 2007. PF is a close mimic of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) clinically and histopathologically, but the frequency of PF relative to GIST is unknown. Moreover, although likely benign, long-term follow-up of PF is limited due to its recent description and rarity. PF has not been reported in distal jejunum. 118 primary GISTs that were surgically resected at our center (2000-2019) were retrieved. The patients' age, gender, clinical presentation, tumor location, size and number, and the presence or absence of metastasis, were documented. Risk of progressive disease was assessed according to the published GIST risk stratification model. Two unique cases of PF were compared. One gastric PF has been followed-up for 8 years, and the other occurred in the distal jejunum. In the latter, the PF diagnosis was rendered after the case was re-reviewed for the study. Clinical presentation resembled GIST in both PF cases. 14% of GISTs showed high risk features or were clinically malignant, whereas the PF patient with 8-year follow-up was free of disease. Based on this study, PF may be under-recognized, with 1 to 2% (1.7%) of GIST-like tumors possibly representing PF. PF may involve variable segments of intestine similar to GIST. Given the remarkable clinical and histopathologic overlap with GIST but differing outcomes, awareness and cognizance of this rare entity, plexiform fibromyxoma, is required for proper patient care.

Arslan|Mustafa Erdem|ME|
Li|Hua|H|
Jennings|Timothy A|TA|
Lee|Edward C|EC|
Nigam|Ankesh|A|
Lee|Hwajeong|H|

Plexiform Fibromyxoma Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Mesenchymal


Incorporation of a Poly-ε-Caprolactone Scaffold in a ;Circular Stapled End-To-End Small Intestine Anastomosis Does Not Have Any Adverse Effects Within 30 days: A Study in Piglets.

Abstract: Background. Incorporation of a poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) scaffold in circular stapled anastomoses has been shown to increase the anastomotic tensile strength on postoperative day (POD) 5 in a pig model. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of incorporation of a PCL scaffold in a circular stapled end-to-end small intestine anastomosis, with stricture formation and anastomotic histology as primary outcomes in a 30-day observation period. Methods. A total of 15 piglets were included. In each piglet, three circular stapled end-to-end anastomoses were made in the small intestines. Two were interventional and one was a control. On POD 10, 20, or 30, the anastomoses were subjected to in vivo intraluminal contrast study, and the index for anastomotic lumen was calculated. The anastomotic segment was resected and subjected to a tensile strength test and histological examination. Results. At POD 10, the mean ± SD value for anastomotic index was .749 ± .065 in control anastomoses and .637 ± .051 in interventional anastomosis (P = .0046), at POD 20, .541 ± .150 and .724 ± .07 (P = .051), and at POD 30, .645 ± .103 and .686 ± .057 (P = .341), respectively. No significant difference was observed in maximum tensile strength and histology at POD 30. Conclusions. The incorporation of a PCL scaffold in a circular stapled end-to-end small intestine anastomosis does not increase the risk of stricture or impair wound healing after 30 days.

poly-ε-caprolactone
scaffold
stricture
experimental surgery
small intestine surgery


Dermatoses in the Elderly: Clinico-Demographic Profile of Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Centre.

Abstract:
Background
Elderly population is vulnerable to develop a multitude of dermatological diseases, owing to comorbidities and polypharmacies.

Objective
To know the prevalence of dermatological conditions in elderly patients attending outpatient department, determine the pattern and relative frequency of skin diseases, and find the relation with associated comorbidities.

Materials and Methods
We performed a cross-sectional study on 250 patients, aged ≥60 years. Clinical diagnosis was done, followed by appropriate investigations when required. Descriptive data was analyzed on the parameters of range, mean ± S.D., frequencies, etc., Continuous variables were analyzed using unpaired t-test/Mann-Whitney U test and categorical data by Fisher's exact test/Chi-square test. Statistical software Medcalc version 10.2.0.0 for Windows vista was used. P value =0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results
250 patients were evaluated, 164 males (65.5%) and 86 females (34.4%). Mean age was 67.87 ± 7.29 years. Commonest disease category was infection (30%), followed by dermatitis (29.6%), papulo-squamous (18.4%), and immunobullous (6.4%). Difference in acute and chronic disease was significant (P = 0.0001). 30% had infections; fungal (50.66%), bacterial (32%), and viral (17.33%). 74 patients had dermatitis (29.6% of study population). Commonest systemic disease was hypertension (23.2%), followed by diabetes mellitus (19.6%). Association of diabetes mellitus was significant (P = 0.0014), more in infective dermatoses (P = 0.0007). All had signs of aging; idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (51.2%), xerosis (45.2%), seborrheic keratosis (42.6%), cherry angioma (33.2%), senile acne (6.6%). Photoaging was noted as wrinkling (98.8%), freckles (35.6%), purpura (10.8%), telangiectasia (5.6%). People involved in outdoor activity had higher Glogau scale (3.01 ± 0.69) compared to those indoors (2.44 ± 0.74), statistically significant difference (P = 0.001).

Conclusion
Our study is the first of its kind, in Eastern India, where we evaluated and explored the disease pattern and extent of geriatric dermatoses among patients attending dermatology OPD of a tertiary care hospital.

Kumar|Dhiraj|D|
Das|Anupam|A|
Bandyopadhyay|Debabrata|D|
Chowdhury|Satyendra N|SN|
Das|Nilay K|NK|
Sharma|Preeti|P|
Kumar|Amit|A|

elderly
infection
Dermatitis
idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis
photoageing
dermatosis


The efficacy of surgical shunts to treat severe portal hypertension after a Kasai procedure for biliary atresia.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
To assess the outcome of patients with biliary atresia (BA) who underwent a surgical shunt (SS) for severe portal hypertension (PH) following a Kasai procedure.

METHODS
We collected and analyzed the data and outcomes of patients with BA who underwent SS for severe PH following a Kasai procedure between 1974 and 2014, focusing on complications related to the procedure, overall survival (OS), and transplant-free survival (TFS).

RESULTS
SS was performed at a median age of 5.5 years [2-13.5] in 38 patients. Conjugated bilirubin level (cBL) was ≤20 μmol/l in 24 patients at time of SS. Median follow-up was 15 years [1-32]. OS at 5 and 10 years was 91% and 87% respectively. TFS at 5 and 10 years was 84% and 70% respectively. Long-term complications included hepatic encephalopathy in 9 patients, and hepatopulmonary syndrome in 3. At last follow-up, 10/14 patients without LT and 18/ 24 who had a delayed LT at a median delay of 11 years [1.5-22] were alive.

CONCLUSION
Surgical shunt for severe portal hypertension in biliary atresia may delay the need for liver transplantation. However complications are indications for transplantation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Type of study: Therapeutic. Level of evidence III.

Guérin|Florent|F| Charre|Lionel|L| Jasienski|Stéphanie|S| Duché|Mathieu|M| Franchiabella|Stéphanie|S| Bernard|Olivier|O| Jacquemin|Emmanuel|E| Agostini|Hélène|H| Gauthier|Frédéric|F| Branchereau|Sophie|S|

Portal hypertension
Kasai
Biliary atresia
Portosystemic shunt


Integration of Routine Parental Request of Organ Donation in End-of-Life Care of Children with Neurologic Disorders in the UK: Unresolved Medical, Legal, Cultural, and Religious Challenges.

Abstract: The UK adopted the opt-out system (deemed or presumed consent) in end-of-life organ donation enforceable in May 2020. Presumed consent applies to adults but not children. Transplant advocates have recommended that all children on end-of-life care should be referred for potential organ donation to increase the supply of transplantable organs in the UK. To buttress this objective, a UK survey of parents of deceased children mostly with neurologic disorders secondary to severe brain injuries recommended the integration of routine parental discussion of donation regardless of donation eligibility in end-of-life care. Donation discussions emphasize the utility and suitability of organs in dying children for transplantation to maximize consent rate. To ensure that this recommendation does not harm children and parents, contemporary medical, legal, cultural, and religious challenges to end-of-life organ donation should be disclosed in parental discussion of donation and resolved appropriately. To that effect, it is urged that: (1) practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of neurologic disorders secondary to severe brain injuries in children are updated and aligned with recent advances in neuroscience to eliminate potential errors from premature treatment discontinuation and/or incorrect diagnosis of death by brain(stem) criteria, (2) transparent and non-biased disclosure of all empiric information when discussing donation to ensure informed parental decision-making, and (3) a societal dialogue is conducted on the legal, cultural, and religious consequences of integration of routine donation discussion and referral in end-of-life care of children in the UK.

Organ donation
End-of-life care
Children
UK
Opt-out system
Presumed consent
Practice guidelines
Pediatrics


Surface functionalization of titanium substrates with Deoxyribonuclease I inhibit peri-implant bacterial infection.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) coating on initial adhesion and biofilm formation of peri-implant bacteria. Titanium (Ti), Ti-polydopamine (Ti-PDOP), Ti-PDOP-DNase I and Ti-PDOP-inactivated DNase I samples were studied. The FE-SEM, EDS and XPS were used to confirm that DNase I was coated onto Ti. The initial adhesion and biofilm formation of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A.a) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (F.n) were observed by CLSM. The osteogenic induction of Ti-PDOP-DNase I on MC3T3-E1 cells was investigated by ALP activity and RT-PCR. The adhesion clearance rate of viable bacteria on the surfaces of Ti-PDOP-DNase I was 91.95% for A.a, and 96.37% for F.n, and the 24 h biofilm formation of the bacteria was significantly inhibited. In addition, on DNase I coating, the mRNA level of osteogenic marker genes (alp, opn, bsp, sp7) and the activity of ALP were both up-regulated. Therefore, DNase I coating could be an alternative approach for preventing implant-related infection.

Shao|Can|C| Zhang|Xin|X| Ye|Jing|J| Li|Ya-Chong|YC| Bao|Yi-Jun|YJ| Li|Zhi-Hui|ZH| Huang|Ying|Y| Liu|Ying|Y|

Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I)
Adhesion
Biofilm
Titanium (Ti)
Dental implant


Cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of oestrogen receptor β improves survival and cardiac function after myocardial infarction in female and male mice.

Abstract: ERβ (oestrogen receptor β) activation has been shown to be cardioprotective, but the cell types and mechanisms involved are not understood. To investigate whether ERβ restricted to cardiomyocytes contributes to the observed cardioprotection, we tested the effects of cardiomyocyte-specific ERβ-OE (ERβ overexpression) on survival, cardiac remodelling and function after MI (myocardial infarction) and studied the molecular pathways potentially involved. Female and male mice with cardiomyocyte-specific ERβ-OE and WT (wild-type) littermates were subjected to chronic anterior coronary artery ligation or sham surgery. Two weeks after MI, ERβ-OE mice showed improved survival (100% and 83% compared with 76% and 58% in WT females and males respectively). ERβ-OE was associated with attenuated LV (left ventricular) dilatation, smaller increase in heart weight, less lung congestion at similar MI size, and improved systolic and diastolic function in both sexes. We identified two potential pathways for ERβ-mediated myocardial protection. First, male and female ERβ-OE mice had a lower reduction of SERCA2a (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 2a) expression after MI, suggesting less reduction in diastolic Ca(2+)-reuptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum post-MI. Secondly, male ERβ-OE revealed attenuated cardiac fibrosis in the remote LV tissue and expression of fibrosis markers collagen I and III, periostin and miR-21. Cardiomyocyte-specific ERβ-OE improved survival associated with reduced maladaptive remodelling, improved cardiac function and less heart failure development after MI in both sexes. These effects seem to be related, at least in part, to a better maintenance of Ca(2+) cycling in both sexes and a lower induction of cardiac fibrosis in males after MI.

Schuster|Iris|I| Mahmoodzadeh|Shokoufeh|S| Dworatzek|Elke|E| Jaisser|Frédéric|F| Messaoudi|Smail|S| Morano|Ingo|I| Regitz-Zagrosek|Vera|V|

D053498:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases

oestrogen receptor β
cardiac function
myocardial infarction
fibrosis
sex differences


Immunotherapy in breast cancer: An introduction.

Abstract: The field of breast cancer immunology has progressed tremendously over the last decade. Twenty years ago immunotherapy was not considered for the treatment of breast cancers because breast cancer was not considered immunogenic. Today we know that most patients with breast cancer have some evidence of an adaptive immune response against their tumors, detectable either in the peripheral blood or in the tumor. Moreover, immunity to breast cancer begins at the earliest stages of the disease, in some patients prior to diagnosis. Recent evidence suggests that lymphocytes infiltrating breast cancers and found in the tumor stroma are strong prognostic indicators of a beneficial disease outcome. These observations now pave the way for the integration of immunomodulation into standard of care therapy for the treatment of breast cancer.

Immunotherapy
Antigen
Immune checkpoint inhibitor
Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes
Type I T-cells
Vaccine


CmTCP20 Plays a Key Role in Nitrate and Auxin Signaling-Regulated Lateral Root Development in Chrysanthemum.

Abstract: Lateral root (LR) formation and development play a vital role in plant development by permitting the establishment of branched root systems. It is well known that nutrient availability controls LR development. Moreover, LR development is fine-tuned by a myriad of hormonal signals. Many transcription factors (TFs) participate in LR development. Here, we discuss the TFs involved in the nitrate and auxin signaling pathways and how these function in the regulation of LR formation and development in chrysanthemum. AtTCP20 is a plant-specific TF, which can modulate LR development in response to nitrate. The roles of CmTCP20 in LR development were identified by overexpression in chrysanthemum and heterologous expression in Arabidopsis. Overexpression of CmTCP20 significantly increased the number and average length of LRs compared with the wild type in chrysanthemum and Arabidopsis. We also found that CmTCP20 positively influenced auxin accumulation in the LRs at least partly by improving auxin biosynthesis, transport and response, thereby promoting LR development. Moreover, we found that CmTCP20 interacts with an auxin response factor, CmARF8, which also can be induced by nitrate and combined to proximal sites in the upstream promoter region of CmCYCB1;1 to positively regulate the cell cycle. The CmTCP20-CmARF8 heterodimer links nitrate and auxin signaling and converts cell-cycle signals to regulate LR initiation and growth.

Fan|Hong-Mei|HM| Sun|Cui-Hui|CH| Wen|Li-Zhu|LZ| Liu|Bo-Wen|BW| Ren|Hong|H| Sun|Xia|X| Ma|Fang-Fang|FF| Zheng|Cheng-Shu|CS|

D017360:Arabidopsis
D031202:Chrysanthemum
D007210:Indoleacetic Acids
D009566:Nitrates
D010937:Plant Growth Regulators
D010940:Plant Proteins
D018517:Plant Roots
D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified
D015398:Signal Transduction
D014157:Transcription Factors

CmTCP20
Nitrate
Auxin
Lateral root development
Chrysanthemum
Cell cycle


The expanding targetome of small RNAs in Salmonella Typhimurium.

Abstract: The enterobacterial pathogen Salmonella has long served as a model for bacterial pathogenesis, stress response, gene expression and regulation with extensive investigation involving protein function. With the advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies and their applications in genomics and transcriptomics, a wealth of data particularly with respect to small RNAs (sRNAs) is being generated. These molecules serve as regulators of major stress response and virulence networks in diverse species including Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) and have received a lot of focus in the last decade. sRNAs are major post-transcriptional regulators that either repress or activate their targets, the former comprising the bulk of known interactions. In this review, we update and summarize validated sRNA-target regulatory information in S. Typhimurium. It covers the largest group of sRNAs in this pathogen, namely trans-encoded antisense RNAs which have received a lot of focus over the past decade. Additionally, we explore the role of Hfq as a global RNA-binding protein and highlight current techniques developed to identify sRNA targets.

D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial

Salmonella Regulation sRNA Network Target


Screening-based discovery of the first novel ATP competitive inhibitors of the Staphylococcus aureus essential enzyme UMP kinase.

Abstract: UMP kinase (PyrH) is an essential enzyme found only in bacteria, making it ideal as a target for the discovery of antibacterials. To identify inhibitors of PyrH, an assay employing Staphylococcus aureus PyrH coupled to pyruvate kinase/lactate dehydrogenase was developed and was used to perform a high throughput screen. A validated aminopyrimidine series was identified from screening. Kinetic characterization of this aminopyrimidine indicated it was a competitive inhibitor of ATP. We have shown that HTS can be used to identify potential leads for this novel target, the first ATP competitive inhibitor of PyrH reported.

Doig|Peter|P| Gorseth|Elise|E| Nash|Tory|T| Patten|Arthur|A| Gao|Ning|N| Blackett|Carolyn|C|

Inhibitor
UMP kinase
PyrH
Screening
HTS
Antibacterial targets


Outcomes of sequestrectomy and buccal fat pad reconstruction in the management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of buccal fat pad (BFP) in the reconstruction of surgical defects following sequestrectomy in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ). A total of ten patients with MRONJ underwent sequestrectomy and reconstruction using BFP. There were 3 males and 7 females. The age range was 20-70 years. Two patients were diagnosed with stage 2, and eight patients were diagnosed with stage 3 disease. Eight defects were present in the maxilla and two in the posterior mandible. Oro-antral communication was present in 8 cases. All patients have undergone sequestrectomy, debridement and reconstruction using BFP under local anaesthesia. Postoperatively, the patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and evaluated for complete epithelisation of defect, infection, pain and recurrence of the lesion. Complete epithelisation with closure of the defect was achieved in all the cases. None of the patients had residual pain or inflammation at the surgical site. There was no case of postoperative infection. Reconstruction using buccal fat pad is an effective treatment modality to provide symptomatic relief and to prevent further progression of disease in MRONJ patients.

Jose|Anson|A|
Rawat|Aditi|A|
Nagori|Shakil Ahmed|SA|
Arya|Saurav|S|
Shukla|Deepak|D|

Medication-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw


Spatially resolved distribution, sources and health risks of heavy metals in size-fractionated road dust from 57 sites across megacity Kolkata, India.

Abstract: This work reports the first assessment of contamination levels, source contributions and health risks associated with heavy metals (HMs) in road dust from Kolkata, the second-most polluted metropolis in India. To this end, samples collected from 57 locations across 6 land-use categories: residential, roadside, traffic, railway, port and industrial areas in the city during 2018 were analyzed for 11 major and trace metals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Mn, Ni, V, Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb) in three size fractions: <75 μm, 75-125 μm and 125-300 μm. Overall, Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb, V, Cu and Ni were enriched in the smallest fraction by factors of 1.2-2.7. Based on metal distribution across land-use categories, crustal dust (Fe, Al, V), construction activities (Ca, Mg), metallurgical processes (Pb), and non-exhaust abrasive emissions from brake, tire and paint wear (Cu, Zn, Cr) were found to be significant. HMs such as Cu, Zn, Cr and Pb were considerably enriched over background levels as suggested by three contamination indices: Enrichment Factor (EF; overall range: 2.4-12.0), Index of Geo-accumulation (Igeo; overall range: 1.1-3.4), and Pollution Index (PI; overall range: 3.1-15.6). Geospatial mapping identified HM contamination hotspots (integrated PI >4) in west-central and northern parts (the older sections) of the city represented by industrial, port, and traffic-congested residential areas. Using positive matrix factorization (PMF), the following sources were apportioned for the three size fractions: crustal dust (48-66%), construction activities (18-20%), vehicular abrasion (7-21%), industrial emissions (5-8%), a Cr-dominated mixed source (6%) and an unassigned source (7%). Finally, health risk assessment in the form of cumulative hazard index (HI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) found that children (mean HIchildren: 1.29 and ILCRchildren: 2E-04) are comparatively more vulnerable than adults (mean HIadults: 0.22 and ILCRadults: 8E-05) to HM exposure, with the ingestion exposure pathway dominating over dermal contact and inhalation.

Kolakkandi|Vismay|V| Sharma|Bijay|B| Rana|Archita|A| Dey|Supriya|S| Rawat|Prashant|P| Sarkar|Sayantan|S|

Trace metals
Size fraction
Contamination indices
Health risk assessment
Receptor modeling


Reconstruction After Salvage Total Laryngectomy: A Cost-effectiveness Analysis.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
To determine the most cost-effective reconstruction method after salvage total laryngectomy.

STUDY DESIGN
Cost-effectiveness analysis.

SETTING
Tertiary care hospitals with head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgeons.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
We constructed a Markov-based decision model to compare reconstruction by primary closure to pectoralis flap and free flap after salvage total laryngectomy. The model simulated disease with transition probabilities and health utilities found in primary literature and estimated the average overall cost of each reconstructive method using Medicare billing codes. Effectiveness was compared using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to scrutinize the conclusions of our model. Reconstruction methods were compared using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). In the United States, less than $150,000 per QALY gained is considered cost-effective (2019 US dollars).

RESULTS
Our base case analysis revealed that primary closure was less expensive ($44,370) and yielded more QALYs (0.91) than both pectoralis ($45,163, 0.81 QALYs) and free flap ($46,244, 0.85 QALYs), making it the most cost-effective option. Between flaps, free flap was cost-effective over pectoralis flap (ICER = $27,025/QALY gained). Sensitivity analyses showed primary closure as cost-effective 69% of the time over either flap. These conclusions were sensitive to the health utilities (quality of life) of each method of reconstruction.

CONCLUSION
Tissue flaps to augment closure after salvage total laryngectomy are not always the most cost-effective reconstructive option. The long-term morbidity of flap surgery oftentimes outweighs the benefit of lowering fistula rates after surgery. Careful consideration must be taken when advising patients of their reconstructive options.

Acevedo|Joseph R|JR|
Yu|Jeffrey C|JC|
Cameron|Brian|B|
Nurimba|Margaret|M|
Hay|Joel W|JW|
Kokot|Niels C|NC|

free flaps
quality of life
epidemiology/outcomes research
head and neck cancer
head and neck surgery
health economics
health policy
microvascular
reconstructive surgery


Relatives' participation at the time of death: standardisation in pre and post-mortem care in a palliative medical unit.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to illuminate the development of standardisation of relatives' participation at the time of death in the Palliative Medical Unit and to explore if the implementation of standardisation brought palliative care more in line with its ideology.

METHODS
A registration form was developed and utilized by the Palliative Medical Unit nurse in charge of the patient and family to register to what extent relatives participated at the time of death. The study consists of two data sets named evaluation 1 and 2. Evaluation 1 includes data collected during the period 01.11.1995-31.12.1999, representing 73% of all deaths (N = 244). Evaluation 2 includes data collected during the period 01.01.2003-31.12.2009, representing 71% of all deaths (N = 400). The data was analysed in SPSS, covering primarily the frequency of participation and correlation between evaluation 1 and evaluation 2.

RESULTS
Relatives are more often present at the moment of death, while nurses are less present at this moment. Additionally, Palliative Medical Unit nurses use more time to inform and discuss relatives' participation in pre and post-mortem care, as well as making agreements with relatives after death occurs.

CONCLUSION
Important premises for successful standardisation are fostering Palliative Medical Unit nurses' knowledge about various aspects of pre and post-mortem care through regular evaluation and an educational programme providing staff with necessary time, awareness and skills. In addition nurses also require sufficient amount of time in the clinic.

Relatives
Standardisation
Palliative care
Nursing
Death and dying


Net protein balance correlates with expression of autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and fat metabolism-related genes in skeletal muscle from older adults.

Abstract: The mechanisms leading to sarcopenia, the main cause for frailty in older adults, are still unclear. Autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) may play a role in mediating muscle protein breakdown related to sarcopenia. In addition to loss of muscle mass, compromised muscle performance observed in sarcopenic patients has been linked to muscle mitochondria dysfunction. Increased fat deposition and fat cell infiltration in muscle frequently seen in skeletal muscle of older adults may play an additional role for the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. Therefore, the first objective of this study was to understand differences in expression of genes related to autophagy, UPS, mitochondrial biogenesis, and fat metabolism in skeletal muscle of older adults compared with young adults. Our second objective was to determine the correlation between whole body protein kinetics (WBPK) and gene expression with age. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to determine the relative expression of targeted genes, and hierarchical regression analysis was used to determine if age had a moderating effect on the correlation between expression of targeted genes and WBPK. Increases in the expression of autophagy-related genes and fat metabolism-related genes were observed in muscle of older adults compared with young adults. In addition, age enhanced the negative correlations between mitochondrial biogenesis genes and net protein balance. These results suggest that dysregulated gene expression of mitochondrial biogenesis could play a role in muscle loss in older adults.

Wu|Hexirui|H|
Jang|Jiwoong|J|
Dridi|Sami|S|
Ferrando|Arny A|AA|
Wolfe|Robert R|RR|
Kim|Il-Young|IY|
Baum|Jamie I|JI|0000-0002-6295-370X

autophagy
muscle
sarcopenia
protein breakdown
protein synthesis


Differential effects of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in a single patient with neuropathic pain.

Abstract: Neuropathic pain (NP) represents an unmet medical need, where analgesic responses to different epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFR-Is) have been described. The human EGFR family of receptors consists of four members (human epidermal growth factor receptor, HER 1-4), signalling via different homodimer and heterodimer combinations. A 52-year-old man was treated with the EGFR-I cetuximab in a trial of severe NP. Pain scores decreased dramatically after blinded cetuximab, but not after placebo. On pain recurrence after the trial, he was prescribed the oral EGFR-Is erlotinib, gefitinib, and lapatinib without relief. However, treatment with the pan-HER-inhibitor afatinib was effective. After 4 years on afatinib, pain control remains excellent with manageable side effects. This is the first reported observation of differential effects of EGFR-Is on NP in the same patient and the first report describing NP relief with afatinib. Further understanding of the underlying pathophysiology could lead to development of EGFR-Is specifically targeting NP.

pain (neurology)
pain (palliative care)
tyrosine kinase inhibitor


Design and application of oral colon administration system.

Abstract: Oral colon administration system has become a new method to treat intestinal diseases. The implementation of colon drug delivery system is restricted by many aspects, including physical and chemical properties, drug delivery mode, gastrointestinal physiological factors, and so on. Delivery methods to overcome these challenges revolve around the mechanisms of drug delivery, including the use of rational dosage forms to avoid the complex pH environment, and the prevention of drug release and absorption in the upper digestive tract.

D000284:Administration, Oral
D000818:Animals
D003106:Colon
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations
D004337:Drug Carriers
D004339:Drug Compounding
D065546:Drug Liberation
D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome
D006801:Humans
D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
D007410:Intestinal Diseases
D011108:Polymers

design
application
Oral colon administration system


Acceleration of Long-Range Photoinduced Electron Transfer through DNA by Hydroxyquinolines as Artificial Base Pairs.

Abstract: The C-nucleoside based on the hydroxyquinoline ligand (Hq) is complementary to itself and forms stable Hq-Hq pairs in double-stranded DNA. These artificial Hq-Hq pairs may serve as artificial electron carriers for long-range photoinduced electron transfer in DNA, as elucidated by a combination of gel electrophoretic analysis of irradiated samples and time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. For this study, the Hq-Hq pair was combined with a DNA-based donor-acceptor system consisting of 6-N,N-dimethylaminopyrene conjugated to 2'-deoxyuridine as photoinducible electron donor, and methyl viologen attached to the 2'-position of uridine as electron acceptor. The Hq radical anion was identified in the time-resolved measurements and strand cleavage products support its role as an intermediate charge carrier. Hence, the Hq-Hq pair significantly enhances the electron hopping capability of DNA compared to natural DNA bases over long distances while keeping the self-assembly properties as the most attractive feature of DNA as a supramolecular architecture.

Bätzner|Effi|E| Liang|Yu|Y| Schweigert|Caroline|C| Unterreiner|Andreas-Neil|AN| Wagenknecht|Hans-Achim|HA|

electron transfer
base pairs
transient absorption spectroscopy
oligonucleotides
photochemistry


Self-defensive antibacterial layer-by-layer hydrogel coatings with pH-triggered hydrophobicity.

Abstract: We report on negatively charged layer-by-layer (LbL) hydrogel films, which turn hydrophobic and bactericidal in response to bacteria-induced acidification of the medium. Single-component hydrogel thin films, abbreviated as PaAALbLs, consisting of chemically crosslinked poly(2-alkylacrylic acids) (PaAAs) with varying hydrophobicity [polymethacrylic acid (PMAA), poly(2-ethylacrylic acid) (PEAA), poly(2-n-propylacrylic acid) (PPAA) or poly(2-n-butylacrylic acid) (PBAA)]. With increasing polyacid hydrophobicity, the hydrogel films showed a decrease in water uptake and an increase in elastic modulus. Both parameters were strongly dependent on pH. At pH 7.4, hydrogels of higher hydrophobicity were more resistant to colonization by Staphylococcus epidermidis, with the PBAA coating showing almost negligible colonization. As the medium became more acidic due to bacterial proliferation, the more hydrophobic PEAALbL, PPAALbL and PBAALbL hydrogels became dehydrated and killed bacteria upon contact with the surface. The killing efficiency was strongly enhanced by the polymer hydrophobicity. The films remained cytocompatible with human osteoblasts, as indicated by the MTS assay and live/dead staining. Our approach exploits bacteria-responsive properties of the coating itself without the involvement of potentially toxic cationic polymers or the release of antimicrobial agents. These coatings thus demonstrate a novel approach to the antibacterial protection of tissue-contacting biomedical-device surfaces.

Lu|Yiming|Y|
Wu|Yong|Y|
Liang|Jing|J|
Libera|Matthew R|MR|
Sukhishvili|Svetlana A|SA|

D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate

D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

Antibacterial
Hydrogel
Bacterial adhesion
Surface modification


Lipid digestion capacity in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) from first feeding to commercial size.

Abstract: To characterise the progression of lipid digestion capacity in gilthead seabream across life cycle, the activities of bile salt-activated lipase (BAL) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) were determined in the digestive tracts of cultured gilthead seabream from first feeding to marketable size (49 μg to 300 g). Four trials were undertaken with gilthead seabream of different ages, fed on diets with fishmeal and fish oil as the main dietary protein and lipid sources and 21-25% lipid contents. Larvae of 4 days after hatching (dah) to 9 dah were fed rotifers with different fatty acid profiles: control (2.8% eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; 1.6% docosahexaenoic acid, DHA; 5.4% n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, n-3 LC-PUFAs; and 0.2% arachidonic acid, ARA), low EPA (1.38% EPA, 1.6% DHA, 3.9% n-3 LC-PUFA and 0.4% ARA) or low LC-PUFA (0.7% EPA, 1.0% DHA, 1.8% n-3 LC-PUFA and 0.0% ARA) (% dry weight). Larvae fed the low-LC-PUFA diet showed a significantly lower growth at 10 dah. BAL activities were significantly higher in larvae fed the control diet than in those fed low-EPA and low-LC-PUFA diets at 9 dah. BAL activity increased with age across life cycle (49 μg to 300 g). PLA2 activity could not be detected in larvae but increased with age in juvenile and adult gilthead seabream (86 g to 295 g), similar to BAL. Results suggested a correspondence between the stimulation of lipid digestion capacity and growth performance in gilthead seabream by dietary essential fatty acids, particularly by EPA when DHA requirements are met in the diet especially in the very early stages of life cycle, when the progression of BAL and PLA2 activities could be used as indicators of the nutritional status of cultured gilthead seabream larvae. Finally, regarded that PLA2 activity was not detected in 4-dah to 44-dah gilthead seabream larvae, future works are suggested to assess the dietary effect on PLA2 activity and the PLA2 activity pattern along the larval stage of this species using a more sensitive detection method.

D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

Digestive capacity
Seabream
Bile salt-activated lipase
Phospholipase A2
EPA
DHA


Remove orthopedic fracture implant with minimal invasive surgery is good for the patient's early rehabilitation.

Abstract: To explore the fact that minimal invasive osteosynthesis surgery could promote patient rehabilitate quickly. Patients needed to remove fracture fixation plates and screws in clavicle/femur/tibia and fibular bones were totally divided into two groups (conventional surgery group and minimal invasive surgery group). The operation time, intra-operative blood loose, post-operation 48 hours analgesic need, VAS score of 24-hours and 72-hours post-operation, post operation incision healing conditions, incision infection, patients' satisfaction about incision scar, and resting days were measured. Patients in the minimal invasive surgery group were satisfied with their scar condition than the conventional surgery group. There were no much difference between conventional surgery group and minimal invasive surgery group in operation time (46.3±10.2 minutes Vs 48.0±11.8 minutes) (P>0.05) and the blood lose in these two groups were 4 ml Vs 47.4±20.1 ml (P>0.05), respectively. There were no screws broken in both groups and all the implants were removed out successfully. Remove four limb fracture fixation implant with minimal invasive surgery is good for patients' early rehabilitation.

Zou|Tiannan|T| Li|Qiaohong|Q| Zhou|Xiaoxiao|X| Yang|Zhao|Z| Wang|Ge|G| Liu|Wei|W| Zhang|Chao|C|

minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis


Single-Implant Treatment.

Abstract: The replacement of one tooth using one implant involves a set of unique criteria for long-term success. Successful therapy should be based on long-term function and health of the adjacent tissues. Sections of this article examine these critical criteria that when working together can result in successful long-term tooth replacement.

Navigation planning
Single-tooth implant
Structural strength


Exosome-derived long non-coding RNA ZFAS1 controls cardiac fibrosis in chronic kidney disease.

Abstract: The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) complicated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing day by day. CVD complication is a significant risk factor for the progression and poor prognosis of CKD. However, in terms of clinical diagnosis, treatment, and pathophysiological mechanism, there are still many things that are not clear about CKD combined with CVD. In this article, we observed the abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA ZFAS1 (lncRNA ZFAS1) in the heart and renal tissues of CKD mice, which may a target for nephropathy with CVD. We observed that exosomes containing lncRNA ZFAS1 induced fibrosis in the heart via the wnt4/β-catenin signal pathway. Luciferase assay reported that lncRNA ZFAS1 could bind with microRNA-4711-5p (miR-4711-5p), and wnt4 was a target of miR-4711-5p. In conclusion, lncRNA ZFAS1 from HCM could promote cardiac fibrosis through WNT/β-catenin signal via exosome pathways, which provided an underlying mechanism in the cardiac fibrosis from CKD.

Wang|Yunfei|Y| Cao|Xufen|X| Yan|Liqiu|L| Zheng|Ye|Y| Yu|Jing|J| Sun|Fuyun|F| Lian|Zheng|Z| Sun|Lina|L|

cardiac fibrosis
chronic kidney disease
cardiovascular disease
lncRNA
exosome


Influence of high natural field temperature during grain filling stage on the morphological structure and physicochemical properties of rice (Oryza sativa L.) starch.

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of natural high temperature in the field during grain filling stage on the morphological structure and physicochemical properties of rice starch. High natural field temperature during rice grain filling stage resulted in poor processing and appearance quality, higher gelatinization properties including gelatinization temperature, gelatinization enthalpy, swelling power, and water solubility due to the reduction of amylose content. High temperature decreased the setback and trough viscosities, and increased breakdown, implying that the pasting properties were slightly better. High temperature did not change the starch crystalline type, while it significantly affected relative crystallinity, as well as pitting and unevenness on the surface of the starch granules with lower granule size. The above results imply that high temperature can degrade cooking and eating quality, and increase pasting properties of starch slightly.

Yao|Dongping|D| Wu|Jun|J| Luo|Qiuhong|Q| Li|Jianwu|J| Zhuang|Wen|W| Xiao|Gui|G| Deng|Qiyun|Q| Lei|Dongyang|D| Bai|Bin|B|

High natural field temperature
Grain filling stage
Morphological structure
Physicochemical properties
Rice starch


A preliminary study of the local biomechanical environment of liver tumors in vivo.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
Biomechanical properties can be used as biomarkers to diagnose tumors, monitor tumor development, and evaluate treatment efficacy. The purpose of this preliminary study is to characterize the biomechanical environment of two typical liver tumors, hemangiomas (HEMs) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), and to investigate the potential of using strain metrics as biomarkers for tumor diagnosis, based on a limited clinical dataset.

METHODS
Magnetic resonance (MR) tagging was used to quantify the motion and deformation of the two types of liver tumors. Displacements of the tumors arising from a heartbeat were measured over one cardiac cycle. Local biomechanical conditions of the tumors were characterized by estimating two principal strains (ε1 and ε2 ) and an octahedral shear strain (εsoct ) of the tumor and its peripheral region. Biomechanical conditions of the tumors were compared with those of the arbitrarily selected regions from healthy volunteers.

RESULTS
We observed that the HCCs had significantly smaller strain values compared to their peripheral tissues. However, the HEMs did not have significantly different strains from those of the peripheral tissues, and were similar to healthy liver regions. The sensitivity of using ε1 , ε2 , and εsoct to diagnose HCC were all 1, while the sensitivity of using ε1 , ε2 , and εsoct to diagnose HEM were 0.67, 0.17, and 0.67, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
Lagrangian strain metrics provide insight into the biomechanical conditions of certain liver tumors in the human body and may provide another perspective for tumor characterization and diagnosis.

Ma|Shengyuan|S|
Zhu|Mo|M|
Xia|Xiaolong|X|
Guo|Liang|L|
Genin|Guy M|GM|
Sacks|Michael S|MS|
Gao|Mingyuan|M|
Mutic|Sasa|S|
Hu|Yanle|Y|
Hu|Chun-Hong|CH|
Feng|Yuan|Y|

biomechanics
displacement
Lagrangian strain
MR tagging
liver cancer


Small Molecules Facilitate Single Factor-Mediated Hepatic Reprogramming.

Abstract: Recent studies have shown that defined factors could lead to the direct conversion of fibroblasts into induced hepatocyte-like cells (iHeps). However, reported conversion efficiencies are very low, and the underlying mechanism of the direct hepatic reprogramming is largely unknown. Here, we report that direct conversion into iHeps is a stepwise transition involving the erasure of somatic memory, mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, and induction of hepatic cell fate in a sequential manner. Through screening for additional factors that could potentially enhance the conversion kinetics, we have found that c-Myc and Klf4 (CK) dramatically accelerate conversion kinetics, resulting in remarkably improved iHep generation. Furthermore, we identified small molecules that could lead to the robust generation of iHeps without CK. Finally, we show that Hnf1α supported by small molecules is sufficient to efficiently induce direct hepatic reprogramming. This approach might help to fully elucidate the direct conversion process and also facilitate the translation of iHep into the clinic.

Lim|Kyung Tae|KT|
Lee|Seung Chan|SC|
Gao|Yimeng|Y|
Kim|Kee-Pyo|KP|
Song|Guangqi|G|
An|Su Yeon|SY|
Adachi|Kenjiro|K|
Jang|Yu Jin|YJ|
Kim|Jonghun|J|
Oh|Kyoung-Jin|KJ|
Kwak|Tae Hwan|TH|
Hwang|Seon In|SI|
You|Jueng Soo|JS|
Ko|Kinarm|K|
Koo|Seung-Hoi|SH|
Sharma|Amar Deep|AD|
Kim|Jong-Hoon|JH|
Hui|Lijian|L|
Cantz|Tobias|T|
Schöler|Hans R|HR|
Han|Dong Wook|DW|

direct conversion
conversion kinetics
MET
induced hepatocytes


The Physical Activity Patterns among Rural Chinese Adults: Data from China National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2010⁻2012.

Abstract: China has experienced a rapid increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially in rural China. In addition to a dramatic increase in energy intake, the decrease in physical activity (PA) may be a reason. The study described the patterns and factors of physical activity and sedentary behaviors of 70,038 adults in rural China, based on data from the Chinese Nutrition and Health Survey (CNNHS) in 2010⁻2012. The mean working time of the employed subjects was 6.04 ± 1.3 day/week, 8.38 ± 2.2 h/day, of which 3.37 ± 2.8 h was sitting time. The occupational PA intensity was significantly relevant with occupation. The average transportation time of the rural Chinese adults was 57.9 ± 45.4 min, and 60.0% took the active transportation mode. The leisure-time PA (LTPA) participation rate was 3.8%, the LTPA time of those who had LTPA was 234.9 ± 231.3 min/week, lower participation was found in farmers and those in younger age groups, and those with lower educational and economic levels. The average domestic PA time, sedentary leisure-time, and sleeping time was 93.0 ± 72.7 min, 2.5 ± 1.4 h, and 7.9 ± 1.1 h, respectively. PA programs should be implemented in rural China, and the PA guidelines for farmers should be developed separately for the farming and non-farming seasons.

Ding|Caicui|C| Song|Chao|C| Yuan|Fan|F| Zhang|Yan|Y| Feng|Ganyu|G| Chen|Zheng|Z| Liu|Ailing|A|

physical activity
China
CNNHS
rural adults


The Microbiome-Host Interaction as a Potential Driver of Anastomotic Leak.

Abstract:
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The goal of this paper is to review current literature on the gut microbiome within the context of host response to surgery and subsequent risk of developing complications, particularly anastomotic leak. We provide background on the relationship between host and gut microbiota with description of the role of the intestinal mucus layer as an important regulator of host health.

RECENT FINDINGS
Despite improvements in surgical technique and adherence to the tenets of creating a tension-free anastomosis with adequate blood flow, the surgical community has been unable to decrease rates of anastomotic leak using the current paradigm. Rather than adhere to empirical strategies of decontamination, it is imperative to focus on the interaction between the human host and the gut microbiota that live within us. The gut microbiome has been found to play a potential role in development of post-operative complications, including but not limited to anastomotic leak. Evidence suggests that peri-operative interventions may have a role in instigating or mitigating the impact of the gut microbiota via disruption of the protective mucus layer, use of multiple medications, and activation of virulence factors. The microbiome plays a potential role in the development of surgical complications and can be modulated by peri-operative interventions. As such, further research into this relationship is urgently needed.

Gershuni|Victoria M|VM|
Friedman|Elliot S|ES|

D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical
D057868:Anastomotic Leak
D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome
D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions
D006801:Humans
D007413:Intestinal Mucosa
D055442:Metabolome

Anastomotic leak
Microbiome
Microbiota
Anastomosis
Colorectal surgery
Gastrointestinal surgery
General surgery
Mechanical bowel prep
Surgical site infection


Intraplatelet reactive oxygen species (ROS) correlate with the shedding of adhesive receptors, microvesiculation and platelet adhesion to collagen during storage: Does endogenous ROS generation downregulate platelet adhesive function?

Abstract: Platelets storage lesion is mainly orchestrated by platelet activating signals during storage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are being considered as important signaling molecules modulating platelet function while their production has also been shown to be augmented by platelet activation. This study investigated to what extent endogenous ROS generation during platelet storage could be correlated with platelet receptor shedding, microvesiculation and adhesive function. 10 PRP-platelet concentrates were subjected to flow cytometry analysis to examine the generation of intraplatelet ROS on days 1, 5 and 7 after storage. In 5 day-stored platelets considering 40% of ROS generation as a cutoff point, samples were divided into two groups of those with higher or lower levels of ROS. The expression of adhesion receptors (GPVI, GPIbα), the amount of microparticles and phosphatidylserine exposure in each group were then examined by flow cytometry. Platelet receptor shedding and adhesion to collagen matrix were respectively measured by western blotting and microscopic assays. Our data showed lowered expression of GPIbα (p < 0.05) and GPVI in samples with ROS > 40% than those with ROS ≤ 40%, whereas receptors shedding and microvesiculation were (p < 0.05) elevated in platelets with higher levels of ROS. Functionally, we observed significantly (p < 0.05) lower levels of platelet adhesion to collagen matrix in samples with ROS generation more than 40%. Taken together, we showed correlations between intraplatelet ROS generation and either platelet receptors or microparticle shedding as well as platelet adhesive capacity to collagen. These findings suggest that augmented ROS generation during storage might be relevant to down-regulation of platelet adhesive function.

Ghasemzadeh|Mehran|M|
Hosseini|Ehteramolsadat|E|
Roudsari|Zahra Oushyani|ZO|
Zadkhak|Parvin|P|

Reactive oxygen species
Shedding
Adhesion
Microvesiculation
Collagen
GPVI
GPIbα
Microparticle
Platelet rich plasma


Surveys and Literature Review of Parasites among African Mole-Rats: Proposing Hypotheses for the Roles of Geography, Ecology, and Host Phylogenetic Relatedness in Parasite Sharing.

Abstract: Hosts that overlap geographically, are less phylogenetically divergent, and/or share similar ecological conditions (e.g., climate, habitat type) are also likely to share parasites. Here we assessed the ectoparasite communities sustained by 3 solitary species of Bathyergidae (Georychus capensis, Bathyergus suillus, and Bathyergus janetta) as well as the endoparasites exploiting G. capensis and compared them with those reported in the literature for other sympatric and parapatric African mole-rat species. In addition to 1 nematode ( Trichuris sp.) and 1 symbiotic ciliate (Meistoma georychi), we collected mites of the genera Androlaelaps and Bathyergolichus as well as unidentified trombiculids from these hosts. Host specificity was high at either the species, genus, or family level for Androlaelaps spp. and Bathyergolichus spp. irrespective of geographic proximity, host phylogeny, or ecological conditions. Host sharing was more limited for helminths but observed among sympatric host species. Our results suggest that ecological similarity and geographic proximity may be more important determinants of host sharing than phylogeny within Bathyergidae.

Lutermann|Heike|H|
Archer|Elizabeth K|EK|
Ueckermann|Edward A|EA|
Junker|Kerstin|K|
Bennett|Nigel C|NC|

African Mole-Rats
Ectoparasite
Sympatric
Parapatric
Host Sharing
Helminth


Electronic Cigarettes—A Narrative Review for Clinicians.

Abstract: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) were introduced into the US market in 2007 and have quickly become a popular source of nicotine for many patients. They are designed to simulate smoking by heating a nicotine-containing solution producing an aerosol that the user inhales. The short- and long-term effects of e-cigarette use are still unclear, but their use is increasing. Some acute effects of e-cigarettes on heart rate, blood pressure, and airway resistance are reported. Although there are some reports of improved cessation in a subset of users, there are also studies reporting decreased cessation in dual users of regular and e-cigarettes. Additionally, there is no current regulation of these devices, and this allows virtually anyone with a form of online payment to obtain them.

Orellana-Barrios|Menfil A|MA|
Payne|Drew|D|
Mulkey|Zachary|Z|
Nugent|Kenneth|K|

D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

Electronic cigarettes
Nicotine
Toxicity
Use patterns


Effects of Tenofovir vs Entecavir on Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Chronic HBV Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and entecavir are recommended as first-line treatments for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, there is debate over the comparative effectiveness of these drugs in preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of TDF vs entecavir in reducing the incidence of HCC among patients with chronic HBV infection.

METHODS
We performed a systematic review of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from 2010 through 2019 for full-text articles and conference abstracts on studies of effects of TDF vs entecavir in patients with HBV infection. Extracted data were analyzed with the random-effects model. Potential sources of heterogeneity were investigated using sensitivity, meta-regression, and subgroup analyses.

RESULTS
Our final analysis comprised 15 studies (61,787 patients; 16,101 patients given TDF and 45,686 given entecavir). TDF treatment was associated with a significantly lower risk of HCC than entecavir (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69-0.93; P = .003; I2 = 13%). The lower risk of HCC in patients given TDF compared with entecavir persisted in sensitivity and subcohort analyses performed with propensity score-matched cohorts and cirrhosis subcohorts. Inclusion of patients with decompensated cirrhosis and the sample size were the factors with the largest effects on between-study heterogeneity in meta-regression analyses. Subsequent subgroup analyses showed no statistical differences in the incidence of death or transplantation (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.73-1.17; P = .519; I2 = 6%) between patients given TDF vs entecavir.

CONCLUSIONS
In a meta-analysis of studies of patients with chronic HBV infection, we found that TDF treatment was associated with a significantly lower (20%) risk of HCC than entecavir treatment. Randomized trials are needed to support this finding.

D000998:Antiviral Agents
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
D006147:Guanine
D006515:Hepatitis B virus
D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic
D006801:Humans
D008113:Liver Neoplasms
D000068698:Tenofovir
D016896:Treatment Outcome


Progressive dysexecutive syndrome due to Alzheimer's disease: a description of 55 cases and comparison to other phenotypes.

Abstract: We report a group of patients presenting with a progressive dementia syndrome characterized by predominant dysfunction in core executive functions, relatively young age of onset and positive biomarkers for Alzheimer's pathophysiology. Atypical frontal, dysexecutive/behavioural variants and early-onset variants of Alzheimer's disease have been previously reported, but no diagnostic criteria exist for a progressive dysexecutive syndrome. In this retrospective review, we report on 55 participants diagnosed with a clinically defined progressive dysexecutive syndrome with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers available. Sixty-two per cent of participants were female with a mean of 15.2 years of education. The mean age of reported symptom onset was 53.8 years while the mean age at diagnosis was 57.2 years. Participants and informants commonly referred to initial cognitive symptoms as 'memory problems' but upon further inquiry described problems with core executive functions of working memory, cognitive flexibility and cognitive inhibitory control. Multi-domain cognitive impairment was evident in neuropsychological testing with executive dysfunction most consistently affected. The frontal and parietal regions which overlap with working memory networks consistently demonstrated hypometabolism on positron emission tomography. Genetic testing for autosomal dominant genes was negative in all eight participants tested and at least one APOE ε4 allele was present in 14/26 participants tested. EEG was abnormal in 14/17 cases with 13 described as diffuse slowing. Furthermore, CSF or neuroimaging biomarkers were consistent with Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology, although CSF p-tau was normal in 24% of cases. Fifteen of the executive predominate participants enrolled in research neuroimaging protocols and were compared to amnestic (n = 110), visual (n = 18) and language (n = 7) predominate clinical phenotypes of Alzheimer's disease. This revealed a consistent pattern of hypometabolism in parieto-frontal brain regions supporting executive functions with relative sparing of the medial temporal lobe (versus amnestic phenotype), occipital (versus visual phenotype) and left temporal (versus language phenotype). We propose that this progressive dysexecutive syndrome should be recognized as a distinct clinical phenotype disambiguated from behavioural presentations and not linked specifically to the frontal lobe or a particular anatomic substrate without further study. This clinical presentation can be due to Alzheimer's disease but is likely not specific for any single aetiology. Diagnostic criteria are proposed to facilitate additional research into this understudied clinical presentation.

dysexecutive
CSF biomarkers
FDG-PET
early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
tau PET


Physiology and pathophysiology of oxLDL uptake by vascular wall cells in atherosclerosis.

Abstract: Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease in which endothelial cell dysfunction, macrophage foam cell formation, and smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation, lead to the loss of vascular homeostasis. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) may play a pre-eminent function in atherosclerotic lesion formation, even if their role is still debated. Several types of scavenger receptors (SRs) such as SR-AI/II, SRBI, CD36, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), toll-like receptors (TLRs) and others can promote the internalization of oxLDL. They are expressed on the surface of vascular wall cells (endothelial cells, macrophages and smooth muscle cells) and they mediate the cellular effects of oxLDL. The key influence of both oxLDL and SRs on the atherogenic process has been established in atherosclerosis-prone animals, in which antioxidant treatment and/or silencing of SRs has been shown to reduce atherogenesis. Despite some discrepancies, the indication from cohort studies that there is an association between oxLDL and cardiovascular (CV) events seems to point toward a role for oxLDL in atherosclerotic plaque progress and disruption. Finally, randomized clinical trials using antioxidants have demonstrated benefits only in high-risk patients, suggesting that additional proofs are still needed to better define the involvement of each type of modified LDL in the development of atherosclerosis.

Di Pietro|Natalia|N|
Formoso|Gloria|G|
Pandolfi|Assunta|A|

D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Atherosclerosis
Macrophages
Oxidized low-density lipoproteins


Nutrition Meets Social Marketing: Targeting Health Promotion Campaigns to Young Adults Using the Living and Eating for Health Segments.

Abstract: Young adults are a key target age group for lifestyle behaviour change as adoption of healthier behaviours has the potential to impact long term health. This paper arises from a multi-disciplinary research project, Communicating Health, which aims to bridge the gap between nutritionists, media, and social marketing professionals to produce the tools that may be used to improve engagement with young adults and reduce the prevalence of obesity. The aim of this paper is to provide nuanced details of the psycho-behavioral characteristics of each of these Living and Eating for Health Segments (LEHS). The design and validation of the LEHS employed a four-stage mixed methods design underpinned by the Integrated Model of Behaviour Change and incorporating sequential formative, qualitative, and quantitative phases. This paper defines the psycho-behavioural characteristics of six distinct market segments: Lifestyle Mavens, Aspirational Healthy Eaters, Balanced-all Rounders, the Health Conscious, those Contemplating Another Day, and the Blissfully Unconcerned. These psycho-behavioural characteristics are important to understand to help build our capability in designing campaigns that are specifically and purposefully targeting these different market segments of young adults. Social marketing practices can enhance the utility of nutrition and health messages to young adults in order to engage them in adopting positive lifestyle change. Tailoring health promotions to the perceived needs of sub-groups or segments of young adults should lead to increased engagement and uptake of messages and cost-efficient use of health promotion budgets.

D000072001:Diet, Healthy
D005247:Feeding Behavior
D015438:Health Behavior
D006293:Health Promotion
D006801:Humans
D008019:Life Style
D040241:Social Marketing
D055815:Young Adult

social marketing
health promotion
young adults
segmentation theory


Intermittent Fasting Enhanced the Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment by Inducing Biochemical and Metabolic changes: A 3-Year Progressive Study.

Abstract: Intermittent fasting (IF) refers to various dietary regimens that cycle between a period of non-fasting and a period of total fasting. This study aimed to determine the effects of IF on cognitive function among elderly individuals who practice IF who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A total of 99 elderly subjects with MCI of Malay ethnicity without any terminal illness were recruited from a larger cohort study, LRGS TUA. The subjects were divided into three groups, comprising those who were regularly practicing IF (r-IF), irregularly practicing IF (i-IF), and non-fasters (n-IF). Upon 36 months of follow-up, more MCI subjects in the r-IF group reverted to successful aging with no cognitive impairment and diseases (24.3%) compared to those in i-IF (14.2%) and n-IF groups (3.7%). The r-IF group's subjects exhibited significant increment in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduction in body weight, levels of insulin, fasting blood glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and DNA damage. Moreover, metabolomics analysis showed that IF may modulate cognitive function via various metabolite pathways, including the synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, butanoate metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways. Overall, the MCI-afflicted older adults who practiced IF regularly had better cognitive scores and reverted to better cognitive function at 36 months follow-up.

intermittent fasting
older adults
mild cognitive impairment
DNA damage
metabolomics
inflammation
oxidative stress


Healthcare Service Utilization by 116,816 Patients with Atopic Dermatitis in Israel.

Abstract: Understanding of the epidemiology and healthcare service utilization related to atopic dermatitis is necessary to inform the use of new treatments. This cross-sectional study was based on a group of patients with atopic dermatitis and a matched control group comprised of age- and sex- matched enrolees without atopic dermatitis from a large medical database. Healthcare service utilization usage data were extracted and compared between groups. The study included 116,816 patients with atopic dermatitis and 116,812 controls. Atopic dermatitis was associated with an increased burden of healthcare utilization across the entire spectrum of healthcare services compared with controls. For patients severely affected by atopic dermatitis, the increased burden correlated with disease severity: a high-er frequency of emergency room visits (odd ratio (OR) 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-1.9), dermatology wards hospitalizations (OR 315; 95% CI 0-7,342), and overall hospitalizations (OR 3.6; 95% CI 3.3-3.9). In conclusion, this study demonstrates an increased burden of healthcare utilization in atopic dermatitis.

Shalom|Guy|G|
Babaev|Meir|M|
Kridin|Khalaf|K|
Schonmann|Yochai|Y|
Horev|Amir|A|
Dreiher|Jacob|J|
Shani|Michal|M|
Tiosano|Shmuel|S|
Fisher|Shani|S|
Comaneshter|Doron|D|
Cohen|Arnon D|AD|

D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand

healthcare service utilization
atopic dermatitis
epidemiology


Semisynthetic Vitamin E Derivatives as Potent Antibacterial Agents against Resistant Gram-Positive Pathogens.

Abstract: New 5-substituted vitamin E derivatives were semisynthesized, and their antibacterial activity against human Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens was evaluated. Several vitamin E analogues were active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and/or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE); structure-activity relationships (SARs) are discussed. As a result, it is shown that the presence of a carboxylic acid function at the C-5 position and/or at the end of the side chain is crucial for the antibacterial activity. The bactericidal or bacteriostatic action of three compounds against MRSA and MRSE was confirmed in a time-kill kinetics study, and the cytotoxicity on human cells was evaluated. The preliminary mechanism study by confocal microscopy indicated that those vitamin E analogues led to bacterial cell death through membrane disruption.

Viault|Guillaume|G|0000-0002-7359-7595 Kempf|Marie|M| Ville|Alexia|A| Alsabil|Khaled|K| Perrot|Rodolphe|R| Richomme|Pascal|P| Hélesbeux|Jean-Jacques|JJ| Séraphin|Denis|D|


Comparison of Mean Platelet Counts in Preterm Infants with and without Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Abstract: Platelets are a primary source of pro- and anti-angiogenic cytokines. However, the evidence of their role in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is controversial. This retrospective study aimed to compare mean weekly platelet counts between infants with and without ROP over the first 6 weeks of life. A total of 93 infants matched by gestational age and birth weight were recruited (31 with ROP, 62 without ROP). Weekly mean platelet counts and other related risk factors were documented. The repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the repeated measure analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to compare mean platelet counts over time between the two groups, with and without adjusting for confounders. We found significant differences in the weekly mean platelet counts of infants with and without ROP over the first 6 weeks of life (p = 0.002). These differences disappeared after adjusting for covariates (p = 0.489). Lower mean platelet counts in ROP infants are not directly related to ROP, but rather to the presence of other risk factors for ROP, such as culture-proven sepsis, blood transfusion and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

D001724:Birth Weight
D005865:Gestational Age
D006801:Humans
D007223:Infant
D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight
D007231:Infant, Newborn
D007234:Infant, Premature
D010976:Platelet Count
D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity
D012189:Retrospective Studies
D012307:Risk Factors

platelet count
infant
retinopathy of prematurity
premature


Saccharothrix tharensis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the Thar Desert, India.

Abstract: The taxonomic provenance of a filamentous actinobacterial strain isolated from a desert soil was established using a polyphasic approach. The strain has chemotaxonomic and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Saccharothrix. It forms a distinct branch in the Saccharothrix 16S rRNA gene tree, related to the type strain of Saccharothrix saharensis (96.7%) but was distinguished readily from it using a combination of phenotypic properties. The genotypic and phenotypic data show that the strain represents a novel species in the genus Saccharothrix, for which the name Saccharothrix tharensis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain TD-093T (= KCTC 39724T = MCC 2832T).

Saccharothrix
Actinobacteria
Arid desert
Chemotaxonomy
New species


Validation of EORTC and CALGB prognostic models in surgical patients submitted to diagnostic, palliative or curative surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
To assess the trend of our surgical patients affected by malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and submitted to diagnostic/palliative or curative surgical procedures and to validate the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) prognostic score in our patient population.

METHODS
This is a cohort study of patients submitted to surgery for MPM from January 2007 to December 2013. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate-adjusted comparisons by EORTC prognostic score for OS were accomplished using Cox method. Adjusted models included the following clinical variables: kind of procedure, smoking habit, asbestos exposure, Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI), clinical tumor stage, adjuvant chemotherapy, dyspnoea, chest pain and haematological variables according to the score features. Nomenclature of the surgical procedures matches the International Association for the Study Lung Cancer (IASLC)/International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMIG).

RESULTS
One-hundred sixty-six consecutive cases were collected: the median age at surgery was 73 years and 123 patients (75%) had a history of asbestos exposure. Ninty patients (54%) were submitted to a palliative/diagnostic thoracoscopy, 30 to pleurectomy/decortication (P/D), and 6 to extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP). Clinical TNM stages were as follows: 99 (60%) stage I-II, 34 (20%) stage III and 33 (20%) stage IV. The median follow-up (FU) was 19 months [interquartile range (IQR), 9-31 months] and the FU-completeness was 98%. By the end of the study 130 patients died (78%). One- and 3-year OS was 60% and 36%, respectively. Patients submitted to EPP and P/D showed a better survival (P=0.013). Multivariable model showed an independent prognostic value of EORTC score (HR =2.86, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
In selected patients, aggressive surgical approaches, although not radical, may still be beneficial. The EORTC prognostic index proved to be an independent prognostic factor in our cohort of patients and therefore is a reliable and valid instrument that may be implemented in the daily practice.

Sandri|Alberto|A|
Guerrera|Francesco|F|
Roffinella|Matteo|M|
Olivetti|Stefania|S|
Costardi|Lorena|L|
Oliaro|Alberto|A|
Filosso|Pier Luigi|PL|
Lausi|Paolo Olivo|PO|
Ruffini|Enrico|E|


Management of complex pediatric burn scars in a humanitarian collaboration.

Abstract: Burn scars still represent a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Their management requires a specific expertise and set up involving the possibility of long term rehabilitation and follow up. Cases encountered in humanitarian missions present additional issues. Often the local environment is not suitable for an appropriate treatment plan, requiring the case to be transferred to a foreign country for surgical care as part of an integrated international and multidisciplinary management. We present the case of a three year-old patient injured in a bomb explosion during the Arab Spring and suffering from severe scar contracture limiting thoracic and upper limb movement. After initial consultation at distance, transfer to our country was organized and an intensive surgical and rehabilitative program was carried out over three months. After five months, the patient returned to his home country where a supportive network had been set up for continued rehabilitation, ensuring follow up for over a year and ultimate success.

Bassetto|F|F| Staffieri|A|A| Reho|F|F| Facchin|F|F| Shehata|J|J| Maged|D|D| Tiengo|C|C|

burn
scar
humanitarian mission
plastic surgery


von Brunn's Nests and Follicular Cystitis Following Intradetrusor OnabotulinumtoxinA Injections for Overactive Bladder.

Abstract: A 67-year-old female with refractory OAB was treated with intradetrusor Botox. She subsequently developed multiple papillary bladder lesions with tissue biopsy showing Von Brunn's nests. Von Brunn's nests are benign bladder lesions similar in appearance to a rare urothelial tumor called Nested Variant of Urothelial Carcinoma (NVUC). It is critical that patients with these findings undergo evaluation to rule out the presence of carcinoma. This finding suggests the possibility of a previously unreported adverse reaction in association with intradetrusor Botox.

Nekkanti|Silpa|S|
Doering|Andrew|A|
Zynger|Debra L|DL|
Hundley|Andrew F|AF|

OnabotulinumtoxinA
Overactive bladder
Botox
Von Brunn’s Nests


Protective effects of curcumin on radioiodine-induced salivary gland dysfunction in mice.

Abstract: Radioiodine (RI) treatment is widely used in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. However, RI exposure often induces salivary gland (SG) dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the effect of curcumin on RI-induced SG dysfunction in mice. Mice were assigned to one of four groups (n = 6 per group) as follows: normal control, RI only, RI + curcumin, and RI + amifostine group. Salivary flow rate, lag time, and changes in 99m Tc (technetium)-pertechnetate uptake and excretion were measured, and changes in SG morphology and histology were analysed. Salivary epidermal growth factor content, amylase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also measured. A terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was performed to assess SG apoptosis, and the expression of apoptosis-related protein was determined by western blotting. The reduced salivary flow rate and prolonged lag time in the RI group was restored by treatment with curcumin or amifostine. In the histological analysis, compared with the RI group, RI + curcumin and RI + amifostine groups had more mucin-rich acini and less periductal fibrosis. Compared with the RI group, RI + curcumin and RI + amifostine groups showed evidence of tissue remodelling, with a greater number of salivary epithelial cells (AQP-5-positive), SG ductal cells (CK18-positive), endothelial cells (CD31-positive), and myoepithelial cells (α-SMA-positive). RI + curcumin and RI + amifostine groups alleviated RI-induced cell death, demonstrating antiapoptotic effect, compared with the RI group. Both SOD activity and the protein expression levels of SOD2 were higher in the RI + curcumin and RI + amifostine groups than in the RI group. Our results demonstrate that curcumin ameliorates RI-induced SG dysfunction in mice.

Kim|Jeong Mi|JM|
Kim|Ji Won|JW|
Choi|Mi Eun|ME|
Kim|Seok-Ki|SK|
Kim|Young-Mo|YM|
Choi|Jeong-Seok|JS|0000-0001-9669-2141

curcumin
salivary gland dysfunction
radioiodine
thyroid
antiapoptosis
antioxidant


The complete chloroplast genome of Vanilla shenzhenica (Orchidaceae).

Abstract: Vanilla shenzhenica Z.J.Liu & S.C.Chen is a new species of orchid found in Shenzhen, South China for the first time. Here we report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence and the features of V. shenzhenica. Its cp genome sequence was 151,537 bp, including one large single-copy region (LSC, 87,487 bp), one small single-copy region (SSC, 19,172 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 22,439 bp). It encoded 123 genes, of which 104 were unique genes (69 protein-coding genes, 31 tRNAs and 4 rRNAs). The phylogenetic relationships show that V. shenzhenica is sister with V. aphylla.

Li|Ting-Zhang|TZ| Chen|Li-Jun|LJ| Wang|Meng|M| Chen|Jian-Bing|JB| Huang|Jie|J|

chloroplast genome
Vanilla shenzhenica
Orchidaceae
Shenzhen


UV spectrophotometric methods for quantitative determination of masitinib; extraction of qualitative information.

Abstract: Masitinib is an orally administered selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It has emerged as a promising drug for multiple diseases including cancer and inflammation in either human or veterinary medicine. Five new and simple UV spectrophotometric methods were developed for its determination in bulk and in pharmaceutical tablets. These methods are based on measuring the absorbance of masitinib in either zero order or first, second, third or fourth derivative spectra. Measurements are optimized so as to minimize excipients' interferences. The methods are suitable for micro-analysis of masitinib. The proposed methods were validated according to the ICH-Q2(R1) guidelines and was successfully applied for determination of masitinib in laboratory prepared tablet. The presented methods are simple, fast, cost-effective and suitable for routine pharmaceutical analysis. Moreover, two derivative spectrophotometric-based methods were developed for identification of masitinib, the derivative ratio method and log-A derivative method. The impact of the developed methods on the environment was assessed by both analytical Eco-Sale and the Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI). The present work proves how derivative spectrophotometry could greatly extract qualitative and quantitative information from UV spectra.

Mabrouk|Mokhtar M|MM|
El-Maghraby|Walaa H|WH|
El-Malla|Samah F|SF|

Derivative ratio
Derivative UV spectroscopy
Ecofriendly
Logarithmic UV spectra
Qualitative determination
Stability in acidic solution


Entrainment in the master equation.

Abstract: The master equation plays an important role in many scientific fields including physics, chemistry, systems biology, physical finance and sociodynamics. We consider the master equation with periodic transition rates. This may represent an external periodic excitation like the 24 h solar day in biological systems or periodic traffic lights in a model of vehicular traffic. Using tools from systems and control theory, we prove that under mild technical conditions every solution of the master equation converges to a periodic solution with the same period as the rates. In other words, the master equation entrains (or phase locks) to periodic excitations. We describe two applications of our theoretical results to important models from statistical mechanics and epidemiology.

Metzler matrix
asymmetric simple exclusion process
contractive systems
cooperative dynamical systems
first integral
stability


Evidence of hepatitis E infection in swine and humans in the East Region of Romania.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
Swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered to be a new zoonotic agent due to its close genomic resemblance to the human HEV. The aim of this study was to determine human HEV seroprevalence in eastern Romania and to characterize circulating swine HEV sequences.

METHODS
Serological investigations of human serum samples were done using a commercial ELISA kit (MP Biomedicals). Swine faecal samples were tested to detect the HEV ORF2 sequence by nested reverse transcription PCR.

RESULTS
One hundred and forty-eight human serum samples were tested for anti-HEV IgG of which 22 were found to be positive. Fresh swine faeces (pools) were collected from five farms in eastern Romania. Six out of 19 pooled samples were positive for HEV RNA. Phylogenetic analysis based on alignment of the ORF2 sequence indicated that the Romanian swine HEV isolates belonged to genotype 3.

CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study showing HEV to be present in Romanian pig herds and that the human population is exposed.

Aniţă|Adriana|A| Gorgan|Lucian|L| Aniţă|Dragoş|D| Oşlobanu|Luanda|L| Pavio|Nicole|N| Savuţa|Gheorghe|G|

Swine
Human
Hepatitis E virus
Seroprevalence
PCR


An induced current method for measuring zeta potential of electrolyte solution-air interface.

Abstract: This paper reports a novel and very simple method for measuring the zeta potential of electrolyte solution-air interface. When a measuring electrode contacts the electrolyte solution-air interface, an electrical current will be generated due to the potential difference between the electrode-air surface and the electrolyte solution-air interface. The amplitude of the measured electric signal is linearly proportional to this potential difference; and depends only on the zeta potential at the electrolyte solution-air interface, regardless of the types and concentrations of the electrolyte. A correlation between the zeta potential and the measured voltage signal is obtained based on the experimental data. Using this equation, the zeta potential of any electrolyte solution-air interface can be evaluated quickly and easily by inserting an electrode through the electrolyte solution-air interface and measuring the electrical signal amplitude. This method was verified by comparing the obtained results of NaCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2 solutions of different pH values and concentrations with the zeta potential data reported in the published journal papers.

Song|Yongxin|Y| Zhao|Kai|K| Wang|Junsheng|J| Wu|Xudong|X| Pan|Xinxiang|X| Sun|Yeqing|Y| Li|Dongqing|D|

Electrolyte solution–air interface
Electrostatic induction
Zeta potential measurement


A Very Short Uranium(IV)-Rhodium(I) Bond with Net Double-Dative Bonding Character.

Abstract: Reaction of [U{C(SiMe3 )(PPh2 )}(BIPM)(μ-Cl)Li(TMEDA)(μ-TMEDA)0.5 ]2 (BIPM=C(PPh2 NSiMe3 )2 ; TMEDA=Me2 NCH2 CH2 NMe2 ) with [Rh(μ-Cl)(COD)]2 (COD=cyclooctadiene) affords the heterotrimetallic UIV -RhI2 complex [U(Cl)2 {C(PPh2 NSiMe3 )(PPh[C6 H4 ]NSiMe3 )}{Rh(COD)}{Rh(CH(SiMe3 )(PPh2 )}]. This complex has a very short uranium-rhodium distance, the shortest uranium-rhodium bond on record and the shortest actinide-transition metal bond in terms of formal shortness ratio. Quantum-chemical calculations reveal a remarkable RhI→→ UIV net double dative bond interaction, involving RhI 4dz2 - and 4dxy/xz -type donation into vacant UIV 5f orbitals, resulting in a Wiberg/Nalewajski-Mrozek U-Rh bond order of 1.30/1.44, respectively. Despite being, formally, purely dative, the uranium-rhodium bonding interaction is the most substantial actinide-metal multiple bond yet prepared under conventional experimental conditions, as confirmed by structural, magnetic, and computational analyses.

Lu|Erli|E|
Wooles|Ashley J|AJ|
Gregson|Matthew|M|
Cobb|Philip J|PJ|
Liddle|Stephen T|ST|0000-0001-9911-8778

C−H activation
carbenes
metal-metal bonding
rhodium
uranium