The roles of chronological age and time perspective in memory positivity.

Abstract: The observation that older adults show enhanced cognition for emotionally positive information has been labeled the positivity effect (Reed, Chan, & Mikels, 2014). According to the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST, Carstensen, 1991), a prominent lifespan development theory, cognition is strongly influenced by motivational goals, and these goals are impacted by subjective time perspective. Although the positivity effect is most commonly observed in older adults, as age usually co-varies with time perspective, the SST posits that time perspective, not age, is the key explanatory factor of positivity. We examined the effects of these predictors on positivity in an episodic memory task in younger and older adults and found that age, not time perspective, was a key predictor of memory positivity. Our results add to the growing literature that challenge the notion that time perspective is the driving force behind age-related differences in emotional processing and functioning.

Kan|Irene P|IP|
Garrison|Shaina L|SL|
Drummey|Anna B|AB|
Emmert|Brian E|BE|
Rogers|Leeland L|LL|

Aging
memory
emotion
positivity effect
future time perspective


Hypoxia-Driven Immunosuppressive Metabolites in the Tumor Microenvironment: New Approaches for Combinational Immunotherapy.

Abstract: Hypoxia is not only a prominent contributor to the heterogeneity of solid tumors but also a crucial stressor in the microenvironment to drive adaptations for tumors to evade immunosurveillance. Herein, we discuss the potential role of hypoxia within the microenvironment contributing to immune resistance and immune suppression of tumor cells. We outline recent discoveries of hypoxia-driven adaptive mechanisms that diminish immune cell response via skewing the expression of important immune checkpoint molecules (e.g., cluster of differentiation 47, programmed death ligand 1, and human leukocyte antigen G), altered metabolism and metabolites, and pH regulation. Importantly, inhibition of hypoxic stress-relevant pathways can collectively enhance T-cell-mediated tumor cell killing. Furthermore, we discuss how manipulation of hypoxia stress may pose a promising new strategy for a combinational therapeutic intervention to enhance immunotherapy of solid tumors.

Li|Yiliang|Y|
Patel|Sapna Pradyuman|SP|
Roszik|Jason|J|
Qin|Yong|Y|

immunosuppression microenvironment immunotherapy hypoxia metabolism


Drosophila melanogaster in nutrition research-the importance of standardizing experimental diets.

Abstract: The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been increasingly recognized as an important model organism in nutrition research. In order to conduct nutritional studies in fruit flies, special attention should be given to the composition of the experimental diets. Besides complex diets, which are often based on maize, yeast, sucrose, and agar, Drosophila can be also fed chemically defined diets. These so-called holidic diets are standardized in terms of their macro- and micronutrient composition although the quantitative nutrient requirements of flies have yet not been fully established and warrant further investigations. For instance, only few studies address the fatty acid, vitamin, mineral, and trace element requirements of fruit flies. D. melanogaster may be also of interest in the field of nutritional medicine. Diet-induced diabetes and obesity models have been established, and in this context, often, the so-called high-fat and high-sugar diets are fed. However, the composition of these diets is not sufficiently defined and varies between studies. A consensus within the scientific community needs to be reached to standardize the exact composition of experimental complex and holidic diets for D. melanogaster in nutrition research. Since D. melanogaster is an established valuable model system for numerous human diseases, standardized diets are also a prerequisite to conduct diet-disease interaction studies. We suggest that a comprehensive approach, which combines deep phenotyping with disease-related Drosophila models under defined dietary conditions, might lead to the foundation of a so-called fly clinic.

Drosophila melanogaster
Diet
Model organism
Disease
Phenotype


A population of innate myelolymphoblastoid effector cell expanded by inactivation of mTOR complex 1 in mice.

Abstract: Adaptive autoimmunity is restrained by controlling population sizes and pathogenicity of harmful clones, while innate destruction is controlled at effector phase. We report here that deletion of Rptor in mouse hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells causes self-destructive innate immunity by massively increasing the population of previously uncharacterized innate myelolymphoblastoid effector cells (IMLECs). Mouse IMLECs are CD3-B220-NK1.1-Ter119- CD11clow/-CD115-F4/80low/-Gr-1- CD11b+, but surprisingly express high levels of PD-L1. Although they morphologically resemble lymphocytes and actively produce transcripts from Immunoglobulin loci, IMLECs have non-rearranged Ig loci, are phenotypically distinguishable from all known lymphocytes, and have a gene signature that bridges lymphoid and myeloid leukocytes. Rptor deletion unleashes differentiation of IMLECs from common myeloid progenitor cells by reducing expression of Myb. Importantly, IMLECs broadly overexpress pattern-recognition receptors and their expansion causes systemic inflammation in response to Toll-like receptor ligands in mice. Our data unveil a novel leukocyte population and an unrecognized role of Raptor/mTORC1 in innate immune tolerance.

D000076222:Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1

D000076223:Regulatory-Associated Protein of mTOR

mouse
innate immunity
inflammation
mTORC1
immune tolerance
TSC-mTOR signaling
hemotopoiesis
immunology


Abusive supervision and workload demands from supervisors: exploring two types of supervisor-related stressors and their association with strain.

Abstract: Our study aimed to identify two types of stressors from supervisors: abusive supervision (AS) and workload demands from supervisors (WDS). AS reflects the relationship dimension of supervisor-related stressors, and WDS reflects the task dimension of supervisor-related stressors. In Study 1, we attempted to distinguish between AS and WDS. The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that AS and WDS are two distinct dimensions of supervisor-related stressors. In Study 2, we utilized job demands-resources model and investigated whether AS and WDS can uniquely predict subordinates' emotional exhaustion (EE). We also explored whether perceived job characteristics (PJCs) have differential moderating effects on the relationships between the two dimensions of supervisor-related stressors (AS and WDS) and EE. Consistent with our predictions, the results showed that both AS and WDS have incremental predictive effects on EE after controlling for the effect of the other. The results also revealed that PJCs weaken the WDS-EE relationship, not the AS-EE relationship. We discussed the theoretical and practical implications at the end.

abusive supervision
workload demands from supervisors
emotional exhaustion
perceived job characteristics


Histiocytic endometritis.

Abstract:
PATIENT
Female, 72 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Histiocytic endometritis Symptoms: Vaginal discharge • fever • weakness

MEDICATION
- Clinical Procedure: Endometrial and cervical biopsy Specialty: Pathology • Gynaecology.

OBJECTIVE
Rare disease.

BACKGROUND
Histiocytic or xanthogranulomatous endometritis, characterized by disappearance of endometrial mucosa and its replacement by sheets of lipid containing histiocytic cells, is very rare. Extensive internet and PubMed searches revealed only 19 cases reported to date. The pathogenesis of histiocytic endometritis seems to be inflammation due to post-menopausal cervical stenosis or as the result of cervical carcinoma. Histiocytic endometritis can infiltrate the myometrium and can mimic a malignancy.

CASE REPORT
We report the case of a 78-year-old post-menopausal female with symptoms of vaginal discharge, fever, and weakness. Radiological investigation showed a mass lesion in the cervix, extending into the myometrium, suggestive of cervical carcinoma. The lesion was biopsied and histopathological examination led to the diagnosis of histiocytic endometritis with no evidence of malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS
Histiocytic endometritis, an inflammatory pathology, can mimic malignancy clinically as well as radiologically. Histopathological examination with extensive sampling of tissue is essential because presence of endometritis does not rule out malignancy.

Wader|Jyotsna V|JV|
Jain|Akash|A|
Kumbhar|Sujata S|SS|
Vhawal|Vaishali|V|

histiocytic endometritis
xanthogranulomatous endometritis
cervical carcinoma


Stenting and overdilating small Gore-Tex vascular grafts in complex congenital heart disease.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Gore-Tex® grafts are integral in the management of congenital heart disease. Issues of graft stenosis or somatic outgrowth may precipitate high-risk early surgery, and catheter intervention is a relatively under-reported management option.

OBJECTIVES
To assess efficacy, safety, and outcomes of stenting and overdilating small Gore-Tex® vascular grafts with the aim of optimizing surgical timing.

METHODS
Retrospective analysis of single-center, 13-year experience of 93 graft stenting interventions or reintervention in 80 patients, with the aim of relieving stenosis ± overdilation, to depose surgical graft revision or optimize surgical timing and candidacy.

RESULTS
Median preintervention graft diameter was 52% (IQR 43-63) of nominal size, postintervention this increased to median 102% (IQR 96-120) [P < 0.001]. Overdilation was achieved in 54%; of these, the median final internal lumen was 126% (IQR 113-132) [P < 0.001]. Mean oxygen saturations increased from 69% to 82% [P < 0.001]. Adverse event rate was 14.9%; this includes mortality (3.2%) and atrioventricular conduction block (8.5%). Univariate analysis and logistic regression showed a significant relationship between adverse events and young age [P < 0.01], low weight [P < 0.01], univentricular physiology [P < 0.001], use of femoral venous access alone [P = 0.03], and intervention on a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit [P = 0.03]. Within respective indication groups, 74% were bridged to elective cavopulmonary shunt, 95% were bridged to biventricular surgery, and 78% of long-term palliative care patients continue under follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS
Gore-Tex® vascular grafts can be stented effectively and expanded beyond nominal diameters by around +26%. This improves oxygen saturations, providing excellent palliation and optimized surgical timing. Adverse events are most frequent in precavopulmonary shunt patients.

CONDENSED ABSTRACT
Gore-Tex® grafts are widely used in the palliation of cyanotic congenital heart disease. Grafts may become stenosed and do not allow for somatic growth. Over a 13 year period, graft stenting was performed in 80 patients (93 technically successful interventions, 4 unsuccessful.) Median internal lumen change was +50% (of nominal graft size), mean oxygen saturation change +13%. Over-dilation was performed in more than half of the cohort, with a median gain of +26% on nominal graft size. In precavopulmonary shunt patients, there was a moderate incidence of serious complications. Clinically useful deferral of surgery was achieved for the majority.

Penford|Gemma|G|0000-0002-5822-0861 Quandt|Daniel|D| Mehta|Chetan|C| Bhole|Vinay|V| Dhillon|Rami|R| Seale|Anna|A| Stumper|Oliver|O|

D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation

stent overdilation Gore-Tex shunt Norwood


An Enhanced Stability Nanoparticle Preparation by Corn Protein Hydrolysate-Carboxymethyl Chitosan Maillard Conjugates Loaded with Rutin.

Abstract: Rutin-loaded corn protein hydrolysate-carboxymethyl chitosan (CPH-NOCC) Maillard conjugate nanoparticles (NPs) with superior stability under different NaCl concentrations (0-0.25 mol/L) and pH levels (7.0 to 3.0) were investigated. Results showed that the degree of glycosylation of 53.3%, browning index of 0.6, and SDS-PAGE lane of CPH-NOCC conjugates were obtained after dry heating for 48 hr (60 °C, 79% RH). The high encapsulation efficiency (EE, 97.8%-98.8%) and CPH-NOCC-rutin (98.8%) was significantly higher than CPH-rutin (97.8%) and CPH/NOCC-rutin (98.4%) NPs illustrated that hydrolysis was positive for zein encapsulation, and conjugation of NOCC to CPH increased the EE. Hairy carbohydrate protrusions on the surface of CPH-NOCC-rutin NPs produced a stronger steric effect and hampered the formation of salt bridges and the particle aggregation under CPH isoelectric point at pH 4.0. Therefore, the CPH-NOCC conjugate NPs may be suitable carrier for hydrophobic bioactive substances in a board range of business foodstuffs.

D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

stability
nanoparticle
Maillard conjugates
carboxymethyl chitosan
corn protein hydrolysate


Astragaloside IV Derivative (LS-102) Alleviated Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Drp1Ser616 Phosphorylation-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission.

Abstract: Our previous studies showed that Astragaloside IV derivative (LS-102) exhibited potent protective function against ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury, but little is known about the mechanisms. Mitochondrial fission regulated by dynamin-related protein1 (Drp1) is a newly recognized determinant of mitochondrial function. This study aimed to investigate the protection of LS-102 on mitochondrial structure and function by regulating the activity of Drp1 using models of H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury induced by hypoxia-reperfusion (H/R), and rat heart injury induced by I/R. The results showed that LS-102 significantly decreased apoptosis, levels of ROS, CK, LDH, and calcium, upregulating MMP, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in cardiomyocytes during I/R injury. Furthermore, LS-102 prevented I/R-induced mitochondrial fission by decreasing Drp1's mitochondrial localization through decreasing the phosphorylation of Drp1 at Ser616 (Drp1Ser616) and increasing the phosphorylation of Drp1 at Ser637 (Drp1Ser637) in H9c2 cells. Importantly, we also robustly confirmed Drp1Ser616 as a novel GSK-3β phosphorylation site. GSK-3β-mediated phosphorylation at Drp1Ser616 may be associated with mitochondrial fission during I/R of cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, LS-102 exerts cardio protection against I/R-induced injury by inhibiting mitochondrial fission via blocking GSK-3β-mediated phosphorylation at Ser616 of Drp1.

Chen|Li|L| Chen|Xiao-Yi|XY| Wang|Qian-Long|QL| Yang|Si-Jin|SJ| Zhou|Hua|H| Ding|Li-Sheng|LS| Qing|Lin-Sen|LS| Luo|Pei|P|

myocardial ischemia reperfusion
mitochondrial fission
GSK-3β
Drp1 phosphorylation
astragalosidic acid


Campylobacteriosis Agents in Meat Carcasses Collected from Two District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Abstract: Raw meats are sometimes contaminated with Campylobacter species from animal faeces, and meats have repeatedly been implicated in foodborne infections. This study evaluated the prevalence, virulence genes, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and resistance gene determinants in Campylobacter species isolated from retailed meat carcasses. A total of 248 raw meat samples were collected from butcheries, supermarkets, and open markets; processed for enrichment in Bolton broth; and incubated at 42 °C for 48 h in 10% CO2. Thereafter, the broths were streaked on modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar (mCCDA) plates and incubated at the same conditions and for the same amount of time. After incubation, colonies were isolated and confirmed by Polymerase chain reaction using specific oligonucleotide sequences used for the identification of the genus Campylobacter, species, and their virulence markers. The patterns of antimicrobial resistance profiles of the identified isolates were studied by disk diffusion method against 12 antibiotics, and relevant resistance genes were assessed by PCR. From culture, 845 presumptive Campylobacter isolates were obtained, of which 240 (28.4%) were identified as genus Campylobacter. These were then characterised into four species, of which C. coli had the highest prevalence rate (22.08%), followed by C. jejuni (16.66%) and C. fetus (3.73%). The virulence genes detected included iam (43.14%), cadF (37.25%), cdtB (23.53%), flgR (18.63%), and flaA (1.96%), and some of the isolates co-harboured two to four virulence genes. Of the 12 antibiotics tested, the highest phenotypic resistance displayed by Campylobacter isolates was against clindamycin (100%), and the lowest level of resistance was observed against imipenem (23.33%). The frequency of resistance genes detected included catll (91.78%), tetA (68.82%), gyra (61.76%), ampC (55%), aac(3)-IIa (aacC2) (40.98%), tetM (38.71%), ermB (18.29%), tetB (12.90%), and tetK (2.15%). There is a high incidence of Campylobacter species in meat carcasses, suggesting these to be a reservoir of campylobacteriosis agents in this community, and as such, consumption of undercooked meats in this community is a potential health risk to consumers.

meat
contamination
Campylobacter species
infection
virulence


The effects of guluronic acid (G2013), a new emerging treatment, on inflammatory factors in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients under in vitro conditions.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) results from the accumulation of fatty acids in the liver. The elevated production of pro-inflammatory factors is the reason for the hyper inflammation in NASH. The α-L-Guluronic acid (G2013), a new member of NSAID family, is a plant-originated agent with immunomodulatory properties. The current study investigated the effects of G2013 on inflammatory factors in PBMCs of NASH patients.

METHODS
PBMCs of 14 NASH patients and 14 healthy controls were isolated and cultured. The patient's cells were treated with low (5 µg/mL) and moderate (25 µg/mL) doses of G2013 alongside the diclofenac optimum dose (3 µg/mL). The expression and secretion levels of variables were assessed by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTS
Findings indicated that the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB, as well as the secretion levels of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines, were significantly elevated in NASH patients compared to healthy individuals. The expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB were strikingly downregulated in treated cells of patients in both low and moderate doses of G2013. A considerable reduction was obtained in the secretion level of IL-6 using both low and moderate doses of G2013 and in the secretion level of TNF-α using the moderate dose of G2013.

CONCLUSION
The results indicated that G2013 could meaningfully decrease the expression and secretion levels of evaluated factors (TLR4, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6) in PMBCs of NASH cases. Since there is no effective treatment for NASH patients, we hope that G2013 would be a promising immunomodulatory agent in reducing inflammation and improvement of patients.

Tahmasebi|Safa|S| Neishaboori|Hassan|H| Jafari|Davood|D| Faghihzadeh|Elham|E| Esmaeilzadeh|Abdolreza|A| Mirshafiey|Abbas|A|

NASH
α-L-guluronic acid
TLR4
NF-κB
TNF-α
IL-6


Investigating the origin of acoustic attenuation in liquid foams.

Abstract: Liquid foams are known to be highly efficient to absorb acoustic waves but the origin of the sound dissipation remains unknown. In this paper, we present low frequency (0.5-4kHz) experimental results measured with an impedance tube and we confront the recorded attenuations with a simple model that considers the foam as a concentrate bubbly liquid. In order to identify the influence of the different parameters constituting the foams we probe samples with different gases, and various liquid fractions and bubble size distributions. We demonstrate that the intrinsic acoustic attenuation in the liquid foam is due to both thermal and viscous losses. The physical mechanism of the viscous term is not elucidated but the microscopic effective viscosity evidenced here can be described by a phenomenological law scaling with the bubble size and the gas density. In our experimental configuration a third dissipation term occurs. It comes from the viscous friction on the wall of the impedance tube and it is well described by the Kirchhoff law considering the macroscopic effective viscosity classically measured in rheology experiments.

Pierre|Juliette|J| Gaulon|Camille|C| Derec|Caroline|C| Elias|Florence|F| Leroy|Valentin|V|

Flowing Matter: Liquids and Complex Fluids


Age of Natural Menopause and Related Factors among the Tabari Cohort.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
The age of menopause is affected by several factors. In this study we aimed to identify the age of natural menopause and its related factors in a large-scale population-based cohort in Iran.

METHODS
In this study, a subset of data collected during the enrollment phase of the Tabari cohort study was utilized. Reproductive history and other related data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained from all participants. Data were analyzed using chi-square test, independent t test, and ANOVA as well as a multivariate linear regression model.

RESULTS
Among participants of the Tabari cohort, 2,753 were menopausal women. The mean age of natural and induced menopause was 49.2 ± 4.7 and 43.2 ± 6.4 years, respectively (P = 0.001). The number of pregnancies, duration of breastfeeding, level of education, residency, presence of thyroid disease, and body mass index affected the age of menopause. After adjustments for confounding variables, the number of pregnancies remained significantly associated with late menopause.

CONCLUSIONS
The age of natural menopause in this study was similar to that in other studies, and the number of pregnancies was positively associated with the age of menopause after adjustments for confounding variables.

Menopause
Tabari cohort study
Natural fertility
Pre-menopause


Inclusion of biological knowledge in a Bayesian shrinkage model for joint estimation of SNP effects.

Abstract: With the aim of improving detection of novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genetic association studies, we propose a method of including prior biological information in a Bayesian shrinkage model that jointly estimates SNP effects. We assume that the SNP effects follow a normal distribution centered at zero with variance controlled by a shrinkage hyperparameter. We use biological information to define the amount of shrinkage applied on the SNP effects distribution, so that the effects of SNPs with more biological support are less shrunk toward zero, thus being more likely detected. The performance of the method was tested in a simulation study (1,000 datasets, 500 subjects with ∼200 SNPs in 10 linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks) using a continuous and a binary outcome. It was further tested in an empirical example on body mass index (continuous) and overweight (binary) in a dataset of 1,829 subjects and 2,614 SNPs from 30 blocks. Biological knowledge was retrieved using the bioinformatics tool Dintor, which queried various databases. The joint Bayesian model with inclusion of prior information outperformed the standard analysis: in the simulation study, the mean ranking of the true LD block was 2.8 for the Bayesian model versus 3.6 for the standard analysis of individual SNPs; in the empirical example, the mean ranking of the six true blocks was 8.5 versus 9.3 in the standard analysis. These results suggest that our method is more powerful than the standard analysis. We expect its performance to improve further as more biological information about SNPs becomes available.

Pereira|Miguel|M|
Thompson|John R|JR|
Weichenberger|Christian X|CX|
Thomas|Duncan C|DC|
Minelli|Cosetta|C|

D001499:Bayes Theorem
D015992:Body Mass Index
D003198:Computer Simulation
D056726:Genetic Association Studies
D006801:Humans
D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium
D008957:Models, Genetic
D015233:Models, Statistical
D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
D012119:Respiration

shrinkage
genetic association studies
Bayesian model
prior knowledge


Better prognostic determination and feature characterization of cutaneous melanoma through integrative genomic analysis.

Abstract: Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and has highly heterogeneous features. Despite progress in melanoma classification, interpatient heterogeneity remains difficult to predict, especially in terms of long-term survival. Here, based on mRNA-seq, miRNA-seq and DNA methylation data from 447 cutaneous melanoma patients in the Cancer Genome Atlas, we performed integrative and single-dataset clustering analyses. A novel group of patients was identified, including 301 with better, 55 with poorer and 91 with intermediate prognoses. Immune genes were upregulated in the better prognostic group, and higher immune scores (representing a greater extent of immune cell infiltration into tumor tissues) were associated with better prognoses. Higher expression of 115 genes was determined to predict better outcomes. The better prognostic group also exhibited DNA hypomethylation, and immune pathways were enriched among the hypomethylated genes. Using exome-seq data from the same patients, we observed that the better prognostic group harbored the highest number of mutations. The mutational signature in the better prognostic group was associated with ultraviolet light exposure. These integrated investigations have potential therapeutic significance, as they clarify the molecular heterogeneity of cutaneous melanoma and enhance its classification.

melanoma
heterogeneity
classification
better outcome
multi-omics


Spatial diversity of spontaneous activity in the cortex.

Abstract: The neocortex is a layered sheet across which a basic organization is thought to widely apply. The variety of spontaneous activity patterns is similar throughout the cortex, consistent with the notion of a basic cortical organization. However, the basic organization is only an outline which needs adjustments and additions to account for the structural and functional diversity across cortical layers and areas. Such diversity suggests that spontaneous activity is spatially diverse in any particular behavioral state. Accordingly, this review summarizes the laminar and areal diversity in cortical activity during fixation and slow oscillations, and the effects of attention, anesthesia and plasticity on the cortical distribution of spontaneous activity. Among questions that remain open, characterizing the spatial diversity in spontaneous membrane potential may help elucidate how differences in circuitry among cortical regions supports their varied functions. More work is also needed to understand whether cortical spontaneous activity not only reflects cortical circuitry, but also contributes to determining the outcome of plasticity, so that it is itself a factor shaping the functional diversity of the cortex.

spontaneous activity
cortex
fixation
slow oscillations
attention
plasticity
reinforcement learning


Macrophage molecular signaling and inflammatory responses during ingestion of atherogenic lipoproteins are modulated by complement protein C1q.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
This study investigated the effect of innate immune protein C1q on macrophage programmed responses during the ingestion of atherogenic lipoproteins. C1q plays a dual role in atherosclerosis where activation of complement by C1q is known to drive inflammation and promote disease progression. However, C1q is atheroprotective in early disease using mouse models. Our previous studies have highlighted a non-complement associated role for C1q in polarizing macrophages towards an M2-like anti-inflammatory phenotype during ingestion of targets such as atherogenic lipoproteins. This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved.

METHODS
We investigated the molecular signaling mechanisms involved in macrophage polarization using an unbiased examination of gene expression profiles in human monocyte derived macrophages ingesting oxidized or acetylated low density lipoproteins in the presence or absence of C1q.

RESULTS
Expression of genes involved in Janus kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling, peroxisome proliferator activating receptor (PPAR) signaling and toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling were modulated by C1q in this screen. C1q was also shown to significantly suppress JAK-STAT pathway activation (a maximum 55% ± 13% reduction, p = 0.044) and increase transcriptional activation of PPARs (a maximum 229% ± 54% increase, p = 0.0002), consistent with an M2-like polarized response. These pathways were regulated in macrophages by C1q bound to different types of modified atherogenic lipoprotein and led to a reduction in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6.

CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies potential molecular mechanisms for the beneficial role C1q plays in early atherosclerosis.

Ho|Minh-Minh|MM|
Manughian-Peter|Ayla|A|
Spivia|Weston R|WR|
Taylor|Adam|A|
Fraser|Deborah A|DA|

Innate Atherosclerosis Inflammation JAK-STAT PPAR LDL


Induction of the acid inducible lipF promoter is reversibly inhibited in pH ranges of pH 4.2-4.0.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
In the human body pathogenic mycobacteria encounter low pH within the phagosomes of macrophages where they reside after being internalized by the host cell. Low pH within macrophages has been shown to induce expression of a variety of genes within these bacteria. It had been previously observed that the Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipF promoter is transcriptionally upregulated between pHs 4.5-6.4 in Mycobacterium smegmatis, with an upper pH limit of 6.4 capable of promoter induction. To better understand the parameters of acid induced gene expression, we sought to determine the lower pH limit capable of lipF promoter induction.

RESULTS
As we had already determined an upper pH limit, we determine here that there is a lower limit of pH's capable of upregulating the lipF promoter, with pH below 4.3 not positively upregulating the promoter. At non-inducing pH 4.2 the bacterial cells remain viable in the absence of acid induced lipF promoter upregulation and subsequent exposure to acid pH 5.0 results in lipF promoter upregulation. There appears to be a lower limit of pH capable of upregulating lipF promoter expression and this limit is not due to cell death.

D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial

lipF
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Acidic stress
Lipase


Prevalence and risk factors for Enterobacteriaceae in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Enterobacteriaceae (EB) spp. family is known to include potentially multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms, and remains as an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) associated with high mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and specific risk factors associated with EB and MDR-EB in a cohort of hospitalized adults with CAP.

METHODS
We performed a multinational, point-prevalence study of adult patients hospitalized with CAP. MDR-EB was defined when ≥3 antimicrobial classes were identified as non-susceptible. Risk factors assessment was also performed for patients with EB and MDR-EB infection.

RESULTS
Of the 3193 patients enrolled with CAP, 197 (6%) had a positive culture with EB. Fifty-one percent (n = 100) of EB were resistant to at least one antibiotic and 19% (n = 38) had MDR-EB. The most commonly EB identified were Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 111, 56%) and Escherichia coli (n = 56, 28%). The risk factors that were independently associated with EB CAP were male gender, severe CAP, underweight (body mass index (BMI) < 18.5) and prior extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) infection. Additionally, prior ESBL infection, being underweight, cardiovascular diseases and hospitalization in the last 12 months were independently associated with MDR-EB CAP.

CONCLUSION
This study of adults hospitalized with CAP found a prevalence of EB of 6% and MDR-EB of 1.2%, respectively. The presence of specific risk factors, such as prior ESBL infection and being underweight, should raise the clinical suspicion for EB and MDR-EB in patients hospitalized with CAP.

prevalence
risk factors
Enterobacteriaceae
community-acquired pneumonia
multidrug-resistance


A Framework for Off-Line Operation of Smart and Traditional Devices of IoT Services.

Abstract: Recently, with the continuous evolution of information technology, various products such as Building Information, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Cloud Computing and Machine Learning have been developed and have created a lifestyle change. A smart Internet of Things (IoT) system is formed by combining the communication capabilities of the internet with control, monitoring and identification services to integrate people, things and objects. However, in some IoT environments that have a weak signal, such as remote areas, warehouses or basements, the network may become unstable, meaning that the IoT system is unable to provide efficient services. This paper therefore presents a framework that ensures the reliability of IoT system services so that even if the IoT system cannot connect to the network, the system can provide the services offline. To avoid increasing the installation cost or replacing existing traditional devices with modern smart devices, this framework can also be used to control traditional devices. The system operation is convenient because users can operate all their smart and traditional devices under the IoT system through voice commands and/or a handheld microcontroller, thus reducing the manual operation of the user. The framework proposed in this paper can be applied to various smart scenarios, including smart warehouses, smart restaurants, smart homes, smart farms and smart factories, to improve people's quality of life and convenience, and create a humane and comfortable smart living environment.

smart and traditional devices
internet of things
MQTT
off-line control


Thickness and fit of mouthguards according to heating methods.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in the thickness and fit of mouthguards made by four different heating methods of the mouthguard sheet material. A Sports Mouthguard(®) of 3.8-mm thickness was used in this study. Four heating methods were performed. In one method, the sheet was heated only one side. In the other methods, one side of the sheet was heated first until the center of the sheet was displaced by 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, and 1.5 cm from the baseline, and then turned upside down and heated. The sheets were adapted using a vacuum former when the heated sheets hung 1.5 cm from the baseline. We measured the thickness and fit of the mouthguard at the areas of the central incisor and first molar. The difference in thickness at the central incisor and first molar regions was analyzed by two-way anova. The difference in fit with different heating methods was analyzed by one-way anova. The results showed that the thickness of the mouthguard differed in the central incisor and first molar areas (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), but not with the heating methods. The fit of the mouthguard at the central incisor and first molar areas was significantly different among the heating methods (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). These results suggested that the fit of the mouthguard was superior when the heated surface of the sheet contacted the surface of the working model. This finding may help to fabricate accurate mouthguards.

thickness
fit
mouthguard
heating method
vacuum forming


Hydroethanolic extract of Smallanthus sonchifolius leaves improves hyperglycemia of streptozotocin induced neonatal diabetic rats.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of hydroethanolic extract of yacon on the hyperglycemia induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in neonatal rats.

METHODS
Wistar rats aged two days old received an intraperitoneal injection of STZ (160 mg/kg); after seven weeks, glycosuria was determined and animals with glucose levels above 250 mg/dL were included in the study. Groups of diabetic and non-diabetic rats were treated orally with yacon extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg/d for 14 d. Tests were made for phytochemical characterization, glucose tolerance and toxicity.

RESULTS
The results showed that treatment with the extract reduced the glucose levels of fed diabetic rats and did not change the glucose levels of fasting diabetic and normal rats. Additionally, also it was observed that treatment with the extract reduced blood glucose levels of diabetic rats during the oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests. There was no change in body weight, liver enzymes or mortality with yacon extract treatment. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid and gallic acid.

CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that yacon extract reduces hyperglycemia, possibly by improving insulin sensibility through its phytochemicals constituents (phenolic compounds).

Baroni|Silmara|S|
da Rocha|Bruno Ambrosio|BA|
Oliveira de Melo|Juliana|J|
Comar|Jurandir Fernando|JF|
Caparroz-Assef|Silvana Martins|SM|
Bersani-Amado|Ciomar Aparecida|CA|

Hyperglycemia
Streptozotocin
Yacon extract
Insulin sensibility


Individual differences and the characterization of animal models of psychopathology: a strong challenge and a good opportunity.

Abstract: Despite the development of valuable new techniques (i.e., genetics, neuroimage) for the study of the neurobiological substrate of psychiatric diseases, there are strong limitations in the information that can be gathered from human studies. It is thus critical to develop appropriate animal models of psychiatric diseases to characterize their putative biological bases and the development of new therapeutic strategies. The present review tries to offer a general perspective and several examples of how individual differences in animals can contribute to explain differential susceptibility to develop behavioral alterations, but also emphasizes methodological problems that can lead to inappropriate or over-simplistic interpretations. A critical analysis of the approaches currently used could contribute to obtain more reliable data and allow taking full advantage of new and sophisticated technologies. The discussion is mainly focused on anxiety-like and to a lower extent on depression-like behavior in rodents.

individual differences
anxiety
depression
forced swim test
genetic selection
inbred strains
sex
stress


Effect of concentrated growth factors on frequency of alveolar Osteitis following partially-erupted mandibular third molar surgery: a randomized controlled clinical study.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The aim of this prospective study was to assess the effectiveness of concentrated growth factors (CGF) in preventing the development of alveolar osteitis (AO) after the extraction of partially-erupted mandibular third molars.

METHODS
Seventy patients (26 men and 44 women) 18 years or older (mean age 25.86; range 18-35) underwent 140 third molar extractions. All the patients presented with bilateral, partially-erupted mandibular third molars and underwent surgical extractions. In each case, one socket received CGF and the other served as a control. The predictor variable was the CGF application and the sides were categorized as 'CGF' and 'non-CGF'. The outcome variable was the development of AO during the first postoperative week. Other study variables included age and gender. Data were analyzed using Cochran's Q test with the significance level set at a P value less than 0.05.

RESULTS
The overall frequency of AO was 11.4% for the control group. The frequency of AO in the CGF group was significantly lower than in the non-CGF group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of this study, application of CGF fibrin gel may decrease the risk of AO development after mandibular third molar surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov database on November 1, 2019 (ID: NCT04151147 , retrospectively registered).

Özveri Koyuncu|Banu|B|
Işık|Gözde|G|
Özden Yüce|Meltem|M|
Günbay|Sevtap|S|
Günbay|Tayfun|T|

Concentrated growth factors
Alveolar osteitis
Third molar surgery
Platelet concentrates


Keap1/Cullin3 Modulates p62/SQSTM1 Activity via UBA Domain Ubiquitination.

Abstract: p62/SQSTM1 (p62) is a scaffolding protein that facilitates the formation and degradation of ubiquitinated aggregates via its self-interaction and ubiquitin binding domains. The regulation of this process is unclear but may relate to the post-translational modification of p62. In the present study, we find that Keap1/Cullin3 ubiquitinates p62 at lysine 420 within its UBA domain. Substitution of lysine 420 with an arginine diminishes p62 sequestration and degradation activity similar what is seen when the UBA domain is deleted. Overexpression of Keap1/Cullin3 in p62-WT-expressing cells increases ubiquitinated inclusion formation and p62's association with LC3 and rescues proteotoxicity. This effect is not seen in cells expressing a mutant p62 that fails to interact with Keap1. Interestingly, p62 disease mutants have diminished or absent UBA domain ubiquitination. These data suggest that the ubiquitination of p62's UBA domain at lysine 420 may regulate p62's function and be disrupted in p62-associated disease.

Lee|YouJin|Y|
Chou|Tsui-Fen|TF|
Pittman|Sara K|SK|
Keith|Amy L|AL|
Razani|Babak|B|
Weihl|Conrad C|CC|

D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins

D000072019:Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1

ubiquitin SQSTM1/p62 aggregaphagy autophagy neurodegeneration


Oxidative stress-induced diseases and tea polyphenols.

Abstract: Reactive oxide species are the middle products of normal metabolism, and play a crucial role in cell signaling transduction. On the contrary, accumulation of excess reactive oxide species results in oxidative stress that often brings multifarious impairment to cells, including decrease of ATP level in cells, elevation of cytosolic Ca2+, DNA damage, dysfunction of biological function in lipid bilayer and so on. These effects will finally lead to all kinds of diseases. Tea polyphenols are widely considered as a kind of excellent antioxidant agents. It can be antioxidants by directly scavenging reactive oxide species or chelating transition metals, and indirectly upregulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, tea polyphenols have also been observed a potent pro-oxidant capacity, which directly leads to the generation of reactive oxide species, and indirectly induces apoptosis and death of cancer cells. The underlying characters of its pro-oxidant activity in some diseases is not well understood. The present review we will discuss the dual character of tea polyphenols, both antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties, in some human diseases induced by oxidative stress.

Mao|Xiangbing|X| Gu|Changsong|C| Chen|Daiwen|D| Yu|Bing|B| He|Jun|J|

tea polyphenols
oxidative stress
pro-oxidant capacity
antioxidant capacity


Do elevators compete with lifts?: Selecting dialect alternatives.

Abstract: Recently, Melinger (2018) demonstrated that translation equivalent dialectal words compete for selection in a way that translation equivalent words from a non-target language do not. She argued that dialectal words are stored as within-language representations. However, Dylman and Barry (2018) showed that within-language synonyms behave like between-language translation equivalents, calling Melinger's interpretation into question. The aim of the present study is to compare dialectal and non-dialectal synonyms distractor effects with the same experimental design to elaborate our understanding of how dialectal lexical items are stored and retrieved during production. In two experiments, American translation equivalents slowed British picture naming times, replicating the findings from Melinger (2018). In a third experiment, synonymous distractor words did not slow picture naming times, replicating the findings from Dylman and Barry (2018). A proposal couched within the Swinging Lexical Network approach is proposed to explain the discrepant findings.

Bidialectalism
Lexical organization
Lexical selection
Picture-word interference


Evaluation of micro-shear bond strength of resin modified glass-ionomer to composite resins using various bonding systems.

Abstract:
AIM
The aim was to compare the micro-shear bond strength between composite and resin-modified glass-ionomer (RMGI) by different adhesive systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 16 discs of RMGI with a diameter of 15 mm and a thickness of 2 mm were randomly divided into four groups (n = 4). Four cylinders of composite resin (z250) were bonded to the RMGI discs with Single Bond, Clearfil SE Bond and Clearfil S3 Bond in Groups 1-3, respectively. The fourth group was the control. Samples were tested by a mechanical testing machine with a strain rate of 0.5 mm/min. Failure mode was assessed under a stereo-microscope.

RESULTS
The means of micro-shear bond strength values for Groups 1-4 were 14.45, 23.49, 16.23 and 5.46 MPa, respectively. Using a bonding agent significantly increased micro-shear bond strength (P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION
Micro-shear bond strength of RMGI to composite increased significantly with the use of adhesive resin. The bond strength of RMGI to composite resin could vary depending upon the type of adhesive system used.

glass-ionomer
Composite resins
single bond
clearfil se bond
dentin bonding agent


Patients' and therapists' experiences of general change mechanisms during bug-in-the-eye and delayed video-based supervised cognitive-behavioral therapy. A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial investigated whether bug-in-the-eye (BITE) supervision (live computer-based supervision during a psychotherapy session) affects the manner in which patients and therapists experience general change mechanisms (GCMs) during cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

METHOD
A total of 23 therapists were randomized either to the BITE condition or the control condition (delayed video-based [DVB] supervision). After each session, both patients (BITE: n = 19; DVB: n = 23) and therapists (BITE: n = 11; DVB: n = 12) completed the Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Bernese Post Session Report (BPSR). The HAQ total score and the 3 secondary factors of the BPSR (interpersonal experiences, intrapersonal experiences, problem actuation) functioned as GCMs. Multilevel models were performed.

RESULTS
For patients, GCMs did not develop differently between BITE and DVB during CBT. Therapists rated the alliance as well as interpersonal and intrapersonal experiences not significantly different between BITE and DVB during CBT, but they perceived problem actuation to increase significantly more in BITE than in DVB (p < .05).

CONCLUSION
BITE supervision might be helpful in encouraging CBT therapists to apply interventions, which focus on the activation of relevant problems and related emotions.

Probst|Thomas|T|0000-0002-6113-2133
Jakob|Marion|M|
Kaufmann|Yvonne M|YM|
Müller-Neng|Julia M B|JMB|
Bohus|Martin|M|
Weck|Florian|F|

D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care

general change mechanisms
randomized controlled trial
alliance
live supervision


Efficacy of Different Root Canal Irrigants on Smear Layer Removal after Post Space Preparation: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Evaluation.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
Effective durable adhesion between post material and dentine using resin cements is essential for longevity of restoration. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the effect of different irrigants on smear layer removal after post space preparation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS
A total of 75 extracted anterior human teeth were selected. The canals were instrumented by rotary system and then were filled. After preparing the post space, teeth were divided into 5 groups according to irrigants: 17% EDTA; 17% EDTA+2% CHX; 5.25% NaOCl; 17% EDTA+5.25% NaOCl; and saline. The canals were irrigated with 5 cc of each irrigants for 1 min. Specimens were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Hulsmann's score was used for marking of smear layer removal at coronal, middle and apical thirds of post space. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS
The results revealed that subsequent use of 17% EDTA+5.25% NaOCl was more effective than the other groups in smear layer removal. No statistical difference was found among different levels of root canal within each group.

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that 17% EDTA+5.25% NaOCl could be an effective irrigant for smear layer removal after post space preparation.

Mirseifinejad|Rahele|R| Tabrizizade|Mehdi|M| Davari|Abdolrahim|A| Mehravar|Fateme|F|

Root Canal Irrigant
Smear Layer
Post Space
Scanning Electron Microscopy


Oral Glucocorticoids and Incident Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, and Venous Thromboembolism in Children.

Abstract: Rates of incident treatment were quantified in this study for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with oral glucocorticoid exposure in children aged 1-18 years. The retrospective cohort included more than 930,000 children diagnosed with autoimmune diseases (namely, inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or psoriasis) or a nonimmune comparator condition (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) identified using US Medicaid claims (2000-2010). Associations of glucocorticoid dose per age- and sex-imputed weight with incident treated diabetes, hypertension, and VTE were estimated using Cox regression models. Crude rates were lowest for VTE (unexposed: 0.5/million person-days (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4, 0.6); currently exposed: 15.6/million person-days (95% CI: 11.8, 20.1)) and highest for hypertension (unexposed: 6.7/million person-days (95% CI: 6.5, 7.0); currently exposed: 74.4/million person-days (95% CI: 65.7, 83.9)). Absolute rates for all outcomes were higher in unexposed and exposed children with autoimmune diseases compared with those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Strong dose-dependent relationships were found between current glucocorticoid exposure and all outcomes (adjusted hazard ratios for high-dose glucocorticoids: for diabetes mellitus, 5.93 (95% CI: 3.94, 8.91); for hypertension, 19.13 (95% CI: 15.43, 23.73); for VTE, 16.16 (95% CI: 8.94, 29.22)). These results suggest strong relative risks, but low absolute risks, of newly treated VTE, diabetes, and especially hypertension in children taking high-dose oral glucocorticoids.

Horton|Daniel B|DB|
Xie|Fenglong|F|
Chen|Lang|L|
Mannion|Melissa L|ML|
Curtis|Jeffrey R|JR|
Strom|Brian L|BL|
Beukelman|Timothy|T|

glucocorticoids
diabetes mellitus
hypertension
venous thromboembolism
cohort studies
pediatrics
pharmacoepidemiology


Trypanosoma brucei gambiense excreted/secreted factors impair lipopolysaccharide-induced maturation and activation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

Abstract: Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, an extracellular eukaryotic flagellate parasite, is the main etiological agent of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role at the interface between innate and adaptive immune response and are implicated during HAT. In this study, we investigated the effects of T gambiense and its excreted/secreted factors (ESF) on the phenotype of human monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs). Mo-DCs were cultured with trypanosomes, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), ESF derived from T gambiense bloodstream strain Biyamina (MHOM/SD/82), or both ESF and LPS. Importantly, ESF reduced the expression of the maturation markers HLA-DR and CD83, as well as the secretion of IL-12, TNF-alpha and IL-10, in LPS-stimulated Mo-DCs. During mixed-leucocyte reactions, LPS- plus ESF-exposed DCs induced a non-significant decrease in the IFN-gamma/IL-10 ratio of CD4 + T-cell cytokines. Based on the results presented here, we raise the hypothesis that T gambiense has developed an immune escape strategy through the secretion of paracrine mediators in order to limit maturation and activation of human DCs. The identification of the factor(s) in the T gambiense ESF and of the DCs signalling pathway(s) involved may be important in the development of new therapeutic targets.

dendritic cell < cell
inflammation < disease
trypanosomiasis < disease


Comparison of effects on coagulation and inflammatory markers using a duty-cycled bipolar and unipolar radiofrequency pulmonary vein ablation catheter vs. a cryoballoon catheter for pulmonary vein isolation.

Abstract:
AIMS
Thrombo-embolic events are one of the most feared complications related to atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Since radiofrequency (RF) energy is thought to be associated with a higher risk of thrombus formation than cryoenergy, the purpose of this study was to assess if the degree of activation of coagulation and inflammatory markers differed between ablation procedures performed with a cryoballoon catheter vs. a RF energy-based pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC), respectively.

METHODS AND RESULTS
Thirty patients referred for AF ablation were randomized to pulmonary vein isolation with either the cryoballoon or the PVAC. Biomarkers were studied for endothelial damage (von Willebrand factor antigen), platelet activation (soluble P-selectin), and coagulation activity [prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) and D-dimer] at five different time points during the procedure. Troponin I (Trop I) and C-reactive protein were analysed to reflect myocardial destruction and inflammatory activity. Markers of endothelial damage and platelet activation increased after ablation in both the cryo and the RF group. Similarly, the D-dimer levels increased significantly (P = 0.001) in both groups, whereas the F1 + 2 levels increased after the transseptal puncture only (P = 0.001). The overall activation of the coagulation system was, however, comparable between the groups. The cryoballoon was associated with higher Trop I compared with the PVAC (P < 0.001), but the ratios between biomarkers and Trop I were higher with the PVAC than with the cryoballoon.

CONCLUSION
Even though the cryoballoon causes a higher degree of myocardial destruction than the PVAC, markers of coagulation, endothelial damage, and inflammation were comparable between the two techniques.

Malmborg|Helena|H| Christersson|Christina|C| Lönnerholm|Stefan|S| Blomström-Lundqvist|Carina|C|

Coagulation
Cryoballoon
Atrial fibrillation
PVAC
Catheter ablation


Streptococcus pyogenes infections with limited emm-type diversity in the homeless population of Brussels, 2016-2018.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
The aim was to characterize the clinical features, outcomes, and strain diversity of laboratory-confirmed Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus, GAS) infections among inpatients hospitalized at a tertiary level hospital in Brussels, Belgium, according to the patients' housing status (homeless vs. not homeless).

METHODS
Between August 2016 and January 2018, all patients hospitalized with a laboratory-confirmed GAS infection were prospectively enrolled and risk factors were recorded. GAS strains were characterized using emm-typing and emm-clustering in both inpatients and outpatients. Analyses were performed according to homelessness status.

RESULTS
During the study period, 48% (28/58) of adults hospitalized with a GAS infection at the tertiary hospital were homeless. The estimated incidence rate was 100 times higher for homeless persons. Skin abscesses were more frequent in the homeless group (21.4% vs. 3.3%) and mortality was high (10.7%). Limited emm-type diversity was found in this group, with four emm-types (64, 77, 83, and 101) accounting for 76.1% of the infections, and the majority of these emm-types belonged to the D4 emm-cluster. Pooled analyses of inpatient and outpatient strains indicated lower diversity in the homeless group.

CONCLUSIONS
The homeless are disproportionately affected by GAS and have a higher rate of abscesses and high mortality. The lower emm-type diversity and preferential infection with four emm-types likely reflects endemic circulation of GAS in this population. Preventive strategies are warranted in this fragile population.

Dauby|Nicolas|N|
Miendje Deyi|Véronique Yvette|VY|
Delforge|Valérie|V|
Martiny|Delphine|D|
Mekkaoui|Leila|L|
Hallin|Marie|M|
Mahieu|Romain|R|
Bossuyt|Nathalie|N|
Botteaux|Anne|A|
Smeesters|Pierre R|PR|

D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins

Streptococcus pyogenes
Homeless persons
Epidemiology
Skin infections
Streptococcal m protein


Muscle torques and joint accelerations provide more sensitive measures of poststroke movement deficits than joint angles.

Abstract: The whole repertoire of complex human motion is enabled by forces applied by our muscles and controlled by the nervous system. The impact of stroke on the complex multijoint motor control is difficult to quantify in a meaningful way that informs about the underlying deficit in the active motor control and intersegmental coordination. We tested whether poststroke deficit can be quantified with high sensitivity using motion capture and inverse modeling of a broad range of reaching movements. Our hypothesis is that muscle moments estimated based on active joint torques provide a more sensitive measure of poststroke motor deficits than joint angles. The motion of 22 participants was captured while performing reaching movements in a center-out task, presented in virtual reality. We used inverse dynamic analysis to derive active joint torques that were the result of muscle contractions, termed muscle torques, that caused the recorded multijoint motion. We then applied a novel analysis to separate the component of muscle torque related to gravity compensation from that related to intersegmental dynamics. Our results show that muscle torques characterize individual reaching movements with higher information content than joint angles do. Moreover, muscle torques enable distinguishing the individual motor deficits caused by aging or stroke from the typical differences in reaching between healthy individuals. Similar results were obtained using metrics derived from joint accelerations. This novel quantitative assessment method may be used in conjunction with home-based gaming motion capture technology for remote monitoring of motor deficits and inform the development of evidence-based robotic therapy interventions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Functional deficits seen in task performance have biomechanical underpinnings, seen only through the analysis of forces. Our study has shown that estimating muscle moments can quantify with high-sensitivity poststroke deficits in intersegmental coordination. An assessment developed based on this method could help quantify less observable deficits in mildly affected stroke patients. It may also bridge the gap between evidence from studies of constrained or robotically manipulated movements and research with functional and unconstrained movements.

motor control
3-D arm movements
motor assessment
nonlinear dynamics
stroke paresis


Near Infrared-Guided Smart Nanocarriers for MicroRNA-Controlled Release of Doxorubicin/siRNA with Intracellular ATP as Fuel.

Abstract: In chemotherapy, it is a great challenge to recruit endogenous stimuli instead of external intervention for targeted delivery and controlled release; microRNAs are the most promising candidates due to their vital role during tumorigenesis and significant expression difference. Herein, to amplify the low abundant microRNAs in live cells, we designed a stimuli-responsive DNA Y-motif for codelivery of siRNA and Dox, in which the cargo release was achieved via enzyme-free cascade amplification with endogenous microRNA as trigger and ATP (or H(+)) as fuel through toehold-mediated strand displacement. Furthermore, to realize controlled release in tumor cells, smart nanocarriers were constructed with stimuli-responsive Y-motifs, gold nanorods, and temperature-sensitive polymers, whose surfaces could be reversibly switched between PEG and RGD states via photothermal conversion. The PEG corona kept the nanocarriers stealth during blood circulation to protect the Y-motifs against nuclease digestion and enhance passive accumulation, whereas the exposed RGD shell under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation at tumor sites facilitated the specific receptor-mediated endocytosis by tumor cells. Through modulating NIR laser, microRNA, or ATP expressions, the therapy efficacies to five different cell lines were finely controlled, presenting NIR-guided accumulation, massive release, efficient gene silence, and severe apoptosis in HeLa cells; in vivo study showed that a low dosage of nanocarriers synergistically inhibited the tumor growth by silencing gene expression and inducing cell apoptosis under mild NIR irradiation, though they only brought minimum damage to normal organs. The combination of nanomaterials, polymers, and DNA nanomachines provided a promising tool for designing smart nanodevices for disease therapy.

Zhang|Penghui|P| Wang|Chen|C| Zhao|Jingjing|J| Xiao|Anqi|A| Shen|Qi|Q| Li|Linting|L| Li|Jianxin|J| Zhang|Junfeng|J| Min|Qianhao|Q| Chen|Jiangning|J| Chen|Hong-Yuan|HY| Zhu|Jun-Jie|JJ|

smart nanocarriers
microRNA
DNA nanomachine
aptamer
drug delivery


Occurrence of virus-induced COPD exacerbations during four seasons.

Abstract: In this study, we investigated the occurrence of viral infections in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during four seasons. Viral infections were detected by the use of real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on pharyngeal swabs. During a 12-month period pharyngeal swabs were obtained in 136 exacerbations of 63 patients. In 35 exacerbations (25.7%) a viral infection was detected. Most viral infections occurred in the winter (n = 14, 40.0%), followed by summer (n = 9, 25.7%), autumn (n = 6, 17.1%), and spring (n = 6, 17.1%). Rhinovirus was the most frequently isolated virus (n = 19, 51.4%), followed by respiratory syncytial virus (n = 6, 16.2%), human metapneumovirus (n = 5, 13.5%), influenza A (n = 4, 10.8%), parainfluenza 4 (n = 2, 5.4%), and parainfluenza 3 (n = 1, 2.7%). This study showed that virus-induced COPD exacerbations occur in all four seasons with a peak in the winter months. However, the distribution of rhinovirus infections showed a different pattern, with most infections occurring in July.

Djamin|Remco S|RS|
Uzun|Sevim|S|
Snelders|Eveline|E|
Kluytmans|Jan J W|JJ|
Hoogsteden|Henk C|HC|
Aerts|Joachim G J V|JG|
Van Der Eerden|Menno M|MM|

D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

exacerbations
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
virus
seasonal patterns


Subclinical hypocalcemia, plasma biochemical parameters, lipid metabolism, postpartum disease, and fertility in postparturient dairy cows.

Abstract: A study was conducted to evaluate the potential association between Ca status at calving and postpartum energy balance, liver lipid infiltration, disease occurrence, milk yield and quality parameters, and fertility in Holstein cows. One hundred cows were assigned to 1 of 2 groups based on whole-blood ionized Ca concentration ([iCa]) on the day of calving [d 0; hypocalcemic [iCa] <1.0 mmol/L (n=51); normocalcemic [iCa] ≥ 1.0 mmol/L (n=49)]. Cows were blocked based on calving date and parity. Blood samples were collected approximately 14 d from expected calving date (d -14), the day of calving (d 0), and on d 3, 7, 14, 21, and 35 postpartum for measurement of plasma nonesterified fatty acid, iCa, total Ca, glucose, and total and direct bilirubin concentrations, and plasma aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase activities. Liver biopsies were obtained from a subset of cows on d 0, 7, and 35 for quantification of lipid content. Milk samples were collected on d 3, 7, 14, 21, and 35 postpartum for measurement of somatic cell count and percentages of protein, fat, and solids-not-fat. Data for peak test-day milk yield, services per conception, and days open were obtained from Dairy Herd Improvement Association herd records. Disease occurrence was determined based on herd treatment records. Hypocalcemic cows had significantly higher nonesterified fatty acids on d 0. Hypocalcemic cows also had significantly more lipid in hepatocytes on d 7 and 35 postpartum. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups for plasma aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase activities or total and direct bilirubin concentrations. Milk protein percentage was lower in hypocalcemic cows on d 21 and 35. However other milk quality variables (somatic cell count, milk fat percentage, and solids-not-fat) and milk yield variables (peak test-day milk yield and 305-d mature-equivalent 4% fat-corrected milk yield) did not differ between groups. No differences were observed between groups in the occurrence of clinical mastitis, ketosis, displaced abomasum, dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, or fertility measures (percentage cycling at 50-60 d postpartum, services per conception, or days open). These data suggest that early lactation fatty acid metabolism differs between cows with subclinical hypocalcemia and their normocalcemic counterparts.

Chamberlin|W G|WG|
Middleton|J R|JR|
Spain|J N|JN|
Johnson|G C|GC|
Ellersieck|M R|MR|
Pithua|P|P|

subclinical hypocalcemia
negative energy balance
transition cow


Sex differences in upper limb musculoskeletal biomechanics during a lifting task.

Abstract: Women experience higher prevalence of work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders compared to men. Previous studies have investigated the biological, kinematic and electromyographic sex-related differences during a lifting task but the actual differences in musculoskeletal loads remain unknown. We investigated the sex differences in three musculoskeletal indicators: the sum of muscle activations, the sum of muscle forces and the relative time spent beyond a shear-compression dislocation ratio. A musculoskeletal model was scaled on 20 women and 20 men lifting a 6 or 12kg box from hip to eye level. Women generated more muscle forces and activations than men, regardless of the lifted mass. Those differences occurred when the box was above shoulder level. In addition, women might spend more time beyond a shear-compression dislocation ratio. Our work suggests higher musculoskeletal loads among women compared to men during a lifting task, which could be the result of poor technique and strength difference.

Martinez|Romain|R| Assila|Najoua|N| Goubault|Etienne|E| Begon|Mickaël|M|

Sex differences
Upper limb
Musculoskeletal modelling


Evaluation of α-hydroxycinnamic acids as pyruvate carboxylase inhibitors.

Abstract: Through a structure-based drug design project (SBDD), potent small molecule inhibitors of pyruvate carboxylase (PC) have been discovered. A series of α-keto acids (7) and α-hydroxycinnamic acids (8) were prepared and evaluated for inhibition of PC in two assays. The two most potent inhibitors were 3,3'-(1,4-phenylene)bis[2-hydroxy-2-propenoic acid] (8u) and 2-hydroxy-3-(quinoline-2-yl)propenoic acid (8v) with IC50 values of 3.0 ± 1.0 μM and 4.3 ± 1.5 μM respectively. Compound 8v is a competitive inhibitor with respect to pyruvate (Ki = 0.74 μM) and a mixed-type inhibitor with respect to ATP, indicating that it targets the unique carboxyltransferase (CT) domain of PC. Furthermore, compound 8v does not significantly inhibit human carbonic anhydrase II, matrix metalloproteinase-2, malate dehydrogenase or lactate dehydrogenase.

Burkett|Daniel J|DJ|
Wyatt|Brittney N|BN|
Mews|Mallory|M|
Bautista|Anson|A|
Engel|Ryan|R|
Dockendorff|Chris|C|
Donaldson|William A|WA|
St Maurice|Martin|M|

D003373:Coumaric Acids
D015195:Drug Design
D006801:Humans
D011766:Pyruvate Carboxylase

α-Hydroxycinnamic acids
Pyruvate carboxylase
α-Keto acids
Carboxyltransferase


Curcumin: hopeful treatment of hemophilic arthropathy via inhibition of inflammation and angiogenesis.

Abstract: Introduction: Hemophilic arthropathy (HA) is a serious complication among hemophilic patients causing a wide range of morbidity due to the inflammatory reactions followed by repeated episodes of bleeding. This condition has recently been shown to be accompanied by angiogenesis. The cascade starts with iron accumulation leading to an increase in CD68+ and CD11b+ cells responsible for initiating the inflammation.Areas covered: During inflammation, different factors and cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) actively play parts in the pathogenesis of HA and also angiogenesis. It has been demonstrated that different pro-angiogenic and angiogenic factors such as hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are also important in the pathogenesis of HA. Curcumin is known for its strong anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic potentials. This agent is able to inhibit the mentioned inflammatory and angiogenic factors such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, VEGF, MMPs, and HIF-1α. Also, as well as anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory activity, curcumin has a strong antioxidant potential and can decrease oxidative stress.Expert opinion: It seems that curcumin could be considered as a possible agent for the treatment of HA through inhibition of inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis.

Norooznezhad|Fatemeh|F|
Rodriguez-Merchan|E Carlos|EC|
Asadi|Soheila|S|
Norooznezhad|Amir Hossein|AH|

curcumin
Hemophilic arthropathy
inflammation
angiogenesis
cytokine
oxidative stress


The Annealing of Acetylated Potato Starch with Various Substitution Degrees.

Abstract: This study aimed to determine the effect of "annealing" acetylated potato starch with a homogenous granule size and various degrees of substitution on the thermal pasting characteristics (DSC), resistance to amylases, rheology of the prepared pastes, swelling power and dynamics of drug release. A fraction of large granules was separated from native starch with the sedimentation method and acetylated with various doses of acetic anhydride (6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 26 cm3/100 g starch). The starch acetates were then annealed at slightly lower temperatures than their pasting temperatures. The annealing process caused an almost twofold increase in the resistance to amylolysis and a threefold increase in the swelling power of the modified starch preparations. The heat of phase transition decreased almost two times and the range of starch pasting temperatures over two times, but the pasting temperature itself increased by ca. 10 °C. The 40 g/100 g addition of the modified starch preparation decreased the rate of drug release from a hydrogel by ca. one-fourth compared to the control sample.

annealing
acetylation
starch particle size distribution


Isolation of fresh endothelial cells from porcine heart for cardiovascular studies: a new fast protocol suitable for genomic, transcriptomic and cell biology studies.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Endothelial cells (ECs) play a key role in tissue homeostasis, in several pathological conditions, and specifically in the control of vascular functions. ECs are frequently used as in vitro model systems for cardiovascular studies and vascular biology. The porcine model is commonly used in human clinical cardiovascular studies. Currently, however, there is no robust protocol for the isolation of porcine heart ECs. We have developed a fast isolation protocol, which is cost effective, takes only 1-2 h, and produces EC purity of over 97%. This protocol is optimized for porcine hearts but can be adapted for use with other large animals.

METHODS
Heart is washed by flushing with PBS, whereafter endothelial cells are detached by collagenase incubation and the cells can then be collected immediately after the incubation and plated within an hour after the heart is isolated from a pig.

RESULTS
The swiftness of the protocol limits changes in the phenotype and RNA expression profile of the cells. Cells were identified as ECs with CD31 (PECAM-1) antibody immunostaining. Functionality of ECs were ensured with in vitro angiogenesis assay. The purity of the ECs was verified by using fluorescence assisted cell sorting (FACS) with the CD31 antibody.

CONCLUSION
We developed a new, fast, and cost-effective isolation method for pig heart ECs. Successful isolation of pure ECs is a prerequisite for several cardiovascular and vascular biology studies.

Isolation
Endothelial cell
Porcine heart
Pig
Fresh tissue
Myocardial


Calmodulin-like protein CML24 interacts with CAMTA2 and WRKY46 to regulate ALMT1-dependent Al resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Abstract: ALUMINUM-ACTIVATED MALATE TRANSPORTER1 (ALMT1)-mediated malate exudation from roots is critical for aluminium (Al) resistance in Arabidopsis. Its upstream molecular signalling regulation is not yet well understood. The role of CALMODULIN-LIKE24 (CML24) in Al-inhibited root growth and downstream molecular regulation of ALMT1-meditaed Al resistance was investigated. CML24 confers Al resistance demonstrated by an increased root-growth inhibition of the cml24 loss-of-function mutant under Al stress. This occurs mainly through the regulation of the ALMT1-mediated malate exudation from roots. The mutation and overexpression of CML24 leads to an elevated and reduced Al accumulation in the cell wall of roots, respectively. Al stress induced both transcript and protein abundance of CML24 in root tips, especially in the transition zone. CML24 interacts with CALMODULIN BINDING TRANSCRIPTION ACTIVATOR2 (CAMTA2) and promotes its transcriptional activity in the regulation of ALMT1 expression. This results in an enhanced malate exudation from roots and less root-growth inhibition under Al stress. Both CML24 and CAMTA2 interacted with WRKY46 suppressing the transcriptional repression of ALMT1 by WRKY46. The study provides novel insights into understanding of the upstream molecular signalling of the ALMT1-depdendent Al resistance.


Reduction of Relapse after Unrelated Donor Stem Cell Transplantation by KIR-Based Graft Selection.

Abstract: Besides donor T cells, natural killer (NK) cells are considered to have a major role in preventing relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). After T-cell-depleted haploidentical HSCT, a strong NK alloreactivity has been described. These effects have been attributed to killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR). Abundant reports suggest a major role of KIR not only on outcome after haploidentical HSCT but also in the unrelated donor setting. In this review, we give a brief overview of the mechanism of NK cell activation, nomenclature of KIR haplotypes, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) groups, and distinct models for prediction of NK cell alloreactivity. It can be concluded that KIR-ligand mismatch seems to provoke adverse effects in unrelated donor HSCT with reduced overall survival and increased risk for high-grade acute graft-versus-host disease. The presence of activating KIR, as seen in KIR haplotype B, as well as the patient's HLA C1/x haplotype might reduce relapse in myeloid malignancies.


MIPs-graphene nanoplatelets-MWCNTs modified glassy carbon electrode for the determination of cardiac troponin I.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor with high selectivity in addition to sensitivity was developed for the determination of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), based on the modification of cTnI imprinted polymer film on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The sensor was fabricated by layer-by-layer assembled graphene nanoplatelets (GS), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), chitosan (CS), glutaraldehyde (GA) composites, which can increase the electronic transfer rate and the active surface area to capture a larger number of antigenic proteins. MWCNTs/GS based imprinted polymers (MIPs/MWCNTs/GS) were synthesized by means of methacrylic acid (MAA) as the monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross linker α,α'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator and cTnI as the template. In comparison with conventional methods, the proposed electrochemical sensor is highly sensitive for cTnI, providing a better linear response range from 0.005 to 60 ng cm-3 and a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0008 ng cm-3 under optimal experimental conditions. In addition, the electrochemical sensor exhibited good specificity, acceptable reproducibility and stability. Moreover, satisfactory results were obtained in real human serum samples, indicating that the developed method has the potential to find application in clinical detection of cTnI as an alternative approach.

Ma|Ya|Y| Shen|Xiao-Lei|XL| Wang|Hai-Shui|HS| Tao|Jia|J| Huang|Jian-Zhi|JZ| Zeng|Qiang|Q| Wang|Li-Shi|LS|

D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

Electrochemical sensor
Cardiac troponin I
Graphene nanoplatelets
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Molecularly imprinted polymers


Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Incidentally Recognized Postoperatively After Venous Port Placement.

Abstract: Persistent left superior vena cava is the most common congenital venous anomaly of the thoracic venous system, occurring in 0.3% to 0.5% of individuals in the general population. It may remain asymptomatic throughout life and be incidentally found in healthy individuals undergoing vascular procedures such as venous access device placements and endovascular cardiac interventions. Here we present a case of persistent left superior vena cava incidentally realized during chemoport insertion in a patient with breast cancer.

Persistent left superior vena cava
venous port placement
congenital
breast cancer


Influence of rapid COVID-19 vaccine development on vaccine hesitancy.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
In the race to deploy vaccines to prevent COVID-19, there is a need to understand factors influencing vaccine hesitancy. Secondary risk theory is a useful framework to explain this, accounting for concerns about vaccine efficacy and safety.

METHODS
During the first week of July, 2020, participants (N = 216) evaluated one of three different hypothetical vaccine scenarios describing an FDA-approved vaccine becoming available "next week," "in one year," or "in two years." Dependent variables were perceived vaccine efficacy, self-efficacy, perceived vaccine risk, and vaccination willingness. Covariates included vaccine conspiracy beliefs, science pessimism, media dependency, and perceived COVID-19 risk. Data analysis employed multiple analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).

RESULTS
Perceived vaccine efficacy was lowest for the next-week vaccine (η2p = .045). Self-efficacy was higher for the two-year vaccine than the next-week vaccine (η2p = .029). Perceived vaccine risk was higher for the next-week vaccine than for the one-year vaccine (η2p = .032). Vaccination willingness did not differ among experimental treatments. In addition, vaccine conspiracy beliefs were negatively related to perceived vaccine efficacy (η2p = .142), self-efficacy (η2p = .031), and vaccination willingness (η2p = .143) and positively related to perceived vaccine risk (η2p = .216).

CONCLUSIONS
The rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine may have heightened public concerns over efficacy, availability, and safety. However, the current findings showed a general willingness to take even the most rapidly developed vaccine. Nonetheless, there remains a need to communicate publicly and transparently about vaccine efficacy and safety and work to reduce vaccine conspiracy beliefs.

COVID-19 vaccine
Vaccine hesitancy
Secondary risk
Protection motivation


Combined percutaneous and transurethral lithotripsy for forgotten ureteral stents with giant encrustation.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Ureteral stents are widely used in many urologic practices. However, stents can cause significant complications including migration, fragmentation, and encrustation and it may possibly be forgotten. Successful management of a retained, encrusted stent requires combined endourological approaches.

OBJECTIVES
To present our experience with the approaches for treating forgotten ureteral stents associated with giant stone formation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Seventy four patients with forgotten ureteral stents were managed by different open (nephrolithotomy and/or cystolithotomy), or endoscopic procedures in our center. Among these, 11 patients had severe encrustation (stones larger than 35 mm within the bladder or kidney) and seven patients of this group, presented at our department between July 2007 and December 2010. Combined endourological procedures percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL), cystolithotripsy (CLT), transurethral lithotripsy (TUL) were performed in one or 2 separate sessions. In these 7 patients the whole of the stents, especially both ends were encrusted. Initially, cystolithotripsy, retrograde ureteroscopy and TUL were performed in the dorsal lithotomy position. Following this, a gentle attempt was made to retrieve the stent with the help of an ureteroscopic grasper. In some cases the stent was grasped by a hemostat clamp out of the urethral meatus with a gentle traction to facilitate lithotripsy in the ureter and even in the kidney. Finally, a ureteric catheter was placed adjacent to the stent for injection of radio-contrast material to delineate the renal pelvis and the calyces. Then in the same session or later in another session the patient was placed in the prone position and PCNL of the upper coil of the encrusted stent along with calculus was done and the stent was removed.

RESULTS
In 5 out of seven patients, the initial indication for stent placement was for urinary stone disease after open nephrolithotomy and pyeloplasty in other centers and in two patients after TUL. All patients underwent the procedure (s) under spinal anesthesia and all received antibiotics in preoperative period. The only available source of energy in our center was pneumatic lithotripsy.

CONCLUSIONS
Multiple endourological approaches or even open surgery are needed because of encrustations and the associated stone burden that may involve bladder, ureter and kidney. This may require single or multiple endourological sessions or rarely open surgical removal of the encrusted stents. Although, endourological management of these stents achieves success in majority of the cases with minimal complications, the best treatment that remains is prevention of this complication and to achieve this important point designing a recall system is suggested.

Stents
Encrustation
Ureter
Nephrostomy, Percutaneous


Leaving no one behind: a neglected tropical disease indicator and tracers for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Abstract: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have emerged as a global pledge to 'leave no one behind'. Under SDG 3, 'Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all', target 3.3 extends the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) beyond HIV, TB and malaria to 'end the epidemic' of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by 2030. Other targets are also relevant to NTDs, especially 3.8 (Universal Health Coverage), 6.1 (water) and 6.2 (sanitation). This commentary summarises the proposed NTD indicator (3.3) and tracers (3.8 and 6.1/6.2). These will help ensure that the world's poorest and most marginalized people are prioritized at every step on the path towards SDG targets.

D035843:Biomedical Research
D006040:Goals
D006801:Humans
D058069:Neglected Diseases
D014330:Tropical Medicine
D014944:World Health Organization

Neglected tropical diseases
Sustainable Development Goals
Control
Elimination
Eradication
Monitoring


Assessment of Volume Status During Prone Spine Surgery via a Novel Point-of-care Ultrasound Technique.

Abstract: Background Operations performed with the patient in the prone position can pose a significant challenge to the anesthesiologist. Hypotension is a commonly encountered complication. Intravascular volume depletion and decreased cardiac output secondary to decreased preload are thought to be the most likely cause of hypotension in the prone position. Measurement of inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter via point-of-care ultrasound examination (POC_US) has been used to provide an estimate of intravascular volume status. However, this measurement is most often obtained with the patient in the supine position. Materials and methods In this study, we describe a technique for evaluating IVC diameter via POC_US in the prone position. Right lateral long axis imaging of the IVC was used to assess the intravascular volume status of 10 patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery in the prone position. In addition, we used a non-invasive measure of cardiac output to correlate changes in IVC width with changes in cardiac output. Results Images of the IVC in the prone position were obtainable in all 10 patients. IVC diameter increased in six out of 10 patients on going from supine to prone position. The increase in IVC diameter corresponded to an increase in cardiac output, measured noninvasively in five out of the six patients. Conclusions Our findings indicate that POC_US examination of the IVC is possible in the prone position. Further study of a larger patient population could demonstrate the utility of this technique in assessing intravascular volume status in patients undergoing surgery in the prone position.

spine surgery
point-of-care ultrasound
prone position
inferior vena cava
volume assement


Risk factors for hospital-acquired pneumonia outside the intensive care unit: a case-control study.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is one of the leading nosocomial infections and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Numerous studies on HAP have been performed in intensive care units (ICUs), whereas very few have focused on patients in general wards. This study examined the incidence of, risk factors for, and outcomes of HAP outside the ICU.

METHODS
An incident case-control study was conducted in a 600-bed hospital between January 2006 and April 2008. Each case of HAP was randomly matched with 2 paired controls. Data on risk factors, patient characteristics, and outcomes were collected.

RESULTS
The study group comprised 119 patients with HAP and 238 controls. The incidence of HAP outside the ICU was 2.45 cases per 1,000 discharges. Multivariate analysis identified malnutrition, chronic renal failure, anemia, depression of consciousness, Charlson comorbidity index ≥3, previous hospitalization, and thoracic surgery as significant risk factors for HAP. Complications occurred in 57.1% patients. The mortality attributed to HAP was 27.7%.

CONCLUSIONS
HAP outside the ICU prevailed in patients with malnutrition, chronic renal failure, anemia, depression of consciousness, comorbidity, recent hospitalization, and thoracic surgery. HAP in general wards carries an elevated morbidity and mortality and is associated with increased length of hospital stay and increased rate of discharge to a skilled nursing facility.

Sopena|Nieves|N|
Heras|Eva|E|
Casas|Irma|I|
Bechini|Jordi|J|
Guasch|Ignasi|I|
Pedro-Botet|Maria Luisa|ML|
Roure|Silvia|S|
Sabrià|Miquel|M|


Effects of γ-irradiation of original and organic matter-amended soils on the sorption of triclosan and diuron from aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Soil γ-irradiation is a well-known method of inhibiting microbial activity in studies of the soil sorption of organic compounds. However, few studies have addressed the possible effect of γ-irradiation on the sorptive ability of soils enriched with different types of organic matter (OM). The objective of this study was to probe the effect of soil γ-irradiation on organic compound-soil interactions in two different situations representing adding OM to soils through land disposal of (a) OM-rich sewage sludge-originating biosolids and (b) olive mill wastewater (OMW). Both situations describe frequent environmental and agricultural scenarios. Comparisons of aqueous sorption on cobalt-60 γ-irradiated and non-irradiated soil sorbents were carried out for (a) triclosan (in a series of three soils and their lab-incubated mixtures with three different types of biosolids), and (b) the pesticide diuron (in two different untreated and OMW-affected soils). In each case, sodium azide was used as a biocide. Soil γ-irradiation affected the sorption of organic compounds by a factor generally not exceeding 2-3. Specifically, for triclosan, the sorbed concentration ratio between irradiated and non-irradiated soils when averaged over all the soil samples was 0.94. No significant effects of γ-irradiation on soil organic carbon or total nitrogen contents were observed. The effect of γ-irradiation on a soil sorbent may be less important when a rough estimate of a soil sorption coefficient of an organic compound is needed. However, it may need to be taken into account in mechanistic sorption studies, specifically, when the shape of sorption isotherms is of interest.

Borisover|Mikhail|M| Keren|Yonatan|Y| Usyskin|Alla|A| Bukhanovsky|Nadezhda|N|

γ-Irradiation
Sorption
Biosolid
Wastewater
Cobalt-60
Soil sterilization


Perioperative Management of Beta Blockers and Other Antiarrhythmic Medications.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Antiarrhythmic medications are an important tool in preventing recurrence of intraoperative and postoperative arrhythmias.

OBJECTIVE
To review current literature and recommendations for perioperative management of antiarrhythmic medications.

METHODS
Literature review is presented along with the pharmacology of antiarrhythmics.

RESULTS
Antiarrhythmic medications should be continued perioperatively for the prevention of arrhythmias intra- and postoperatively. However, beta blockers have had controversies regarding their perioperative safety profile.

CONCLUSION
Continuation of antiarrhythmic medications is safe perioperatively. However, initiation of beta blockers should be patient-tailored and titrated to a target heart rate in advance surgery.

D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac
D004334:Drug Administration Schedule
D006339:Heart Rate
D006801:Humans
D019990:Perioperative Care


Derivation of a chronic reference dose for perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) for reproductive toxicity in mice.

Abstract: Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) is a six-carbon perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid that was used as an industrial surfactant, but is now found as an environmental contaminant worldwide. In addition to its use as an industrial surfactant, it is a legacy contaminant from the use of aqueous film-forming foams. Despite its widespread occurrence in the environment and evidence of biological activity associated with PFHxS and similar perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids in rodents, there is no oral toxicity value currently available from the IRIS Database. To derive an oral reference dose (RfD) for PFHxS, available toxicity studies were reviewed using a weight-of-evidence approach. A 42-day mouse reproductive study was chosen as the critical study for the derivation of the oral RfD. Benchmark dose modeling was utilized to derive a point of departure (POD) for a reduction in litter size. A 95% lower confidence limit on the benchmark dose (BMDL) of 13,900 ng/mL (serum PFHxS) was modeled for a reduction in litter size. An oral RfD for PFHxS of 4.0 ng/kg/d was calculated by conversion of the BMDL to a human equivalent oral dose using a human half-life adjusted dosimetric conversion factor and the application of a total uncertainty factor of 300. Additional research is needed to better characterize the toxicity associated with oral exposure to PFHxS and refine the development of toxicity values.

Ali|Jonathan M|JM|
Roberts|Stephen M|SM|
Gordon|David S|DS|
Stuchal|Leah D|LD|

Reference dose
Perfluorohexane sulfonate
Reproductive toxicity
Point of departure
Perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid


Applications of nanotechnology in virus detection, tracking, and infection mechanisms.

Abstract: Viruses are among the most infectious pathogens, responsible for the highest death toll around the world. Lack of effective clinical drug for most of the viruses emphasizes the rapid and accurate diagnosis at early stages of infection to prevent rapid spread of the pathogens. Nanotechnology is an emerging field with applications in various domains, where nano-biomedical science has many significant contributions such as effective delivery of drugs/therapeutic molecules to specific organs, imaging, sensitive detection of virus, and their accurate tracking in host cells. The nanomaterials reported for virus detection and tracking mainly include magnetic and gold NPs, ZnO/Pt-Pd, graphene, and quantum dots (QDs). In addition, the single virus tracking technology (SVT) allowed to track the life cycle stages of an individual virus for better understanding of their dynamics within the living cells. Inorganic as well as non-metallic fluorescent materials share the advantages of high photochemical stability, a wide range of light absorption curves and polychromatic emission. Hence, are considered as potential fluorescent nano-probes for SVT. However, there are still some challenges: (i) clinical false positive rate of some detection methods is still high; (ii) in the virus tracking process, less adaptability of QDs owing to larger size, flicker, and possible interference with virus function; and (iii) in vivo tracking of a single virus, in real time needs further refinement. In the future, smaller, non-toxic, and chemically stable nanomaterials are needed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of detection, and monitoring of virus infections to curb the mortalities. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures.

Kang|Jun|J| Tahir|Ayesha|A| Wang|Hanjie|H| Chang|Jin|J|0000-0002-6752-8526

virus
detection
single virus tracking
nanoparticles


The armadillo-repeat domain of plakophilin 1 binds the C-terminal sterile alpha motif (SAM) of p73.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Plakophilin 1 (PKP1) is a component of desmosomes, which are key structural components for cell-cell adhesion, and can also be found in other cell locations. The p53, p63 and p73 proteins belong to the p53 family of transcription factors, playing crucial roles in tumour suppression. The α-splice variant of p73 (p73α) has at its C terminus a sterile alpha motif (SAM); such domain, SAMp73, is involved in the interaction with other macromolecules.

METHODS
We studied the binding of SAMp73 with the armadillo domain of PKP1 (ARM-PKP1) in the absence and the presence of 100 mM NaCl, by using several biophysical techniques, namely fluorescence, far-ultraviolet circular dichroism (CD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and molecular docking and simulations.

RESULTS
Association was observed between the two proteins, with a dissociation constant of ~5 μM measured by ITC and fluorescence in the absence of NaCl. The binding region of SAMp73 involved residues of the so-called "middle-loop-end-helix" binding region (i.e., comprising the third helix, together with the C terminus of the second one, and the N-cap of the fourth), as shown by 15N, 1H- HSQC-NMR spectra. Molecular modelling provided additional information on the possible structure of the binding complex.

CONCLUSIONS
This newly-observed interaction could have potential therapeutic relevance in the tumour pathways where PKP1 is involved, and under conditions when there is a possible inactivation of p53.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE
The discovery of the binding between SAMp73 and ARM-PKP1 suggests a functional role for their interaction, including the possibility that SAMp73 could assist PKP1 in signalling pathways.

Neira|José L|JL|
Rizzuti|Bruno|B|
Ortega-Alarcón|David|D|
Giudici|A Marcela|AM|
Abián|Olga|O|
Fárez-Vidal|María Esther|ME|
Velázquez-Campoy|Adrián|A|

D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs

NMR
Isothermal titration calorimetry
Molecular dynamics
Protein-protein interactions


Transcriptomic Analysis for Indica and Japonica Rice Varieties under Aluminum Toxicity.

Abstract: Aluminum (Al) at high concentrations inhibits root growth, damage root systems, and causes significant reductions in rice yields. Indica and Japonica rice have been cultivated in distinctly different ecological environments with different soil acidity levels; thus, they might have different mechanisms of Al-tolerance. In the present study, transcriptomic analysis in the root apex for Al-tolerance in the seedling stage was carried out within Al-tolerant and -sensitive varieties belonging to different subpopulations (i.e., Indica, Japonica, and mixed). We found that there were significant differences between the gene expression patterns of Indica Al-tolerant and Japonica Al-tolerant varieties, while the gene expression patterns of the Al-tolerant varieties in the mixed subgroup, which was inclined to Japonica, were similar to the Al-tolerant varieties in Japonica. Moreover, after further GO (gene ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analyses of the transcriptomic data, we found that eight pathways, i.e., "Terpenoid backbone biosynthesis", "Ribosome", "Amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism", "Plant hormone signal transduction", "TCA cycle", "Synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies", and "Butanoate metabolism" were found uniquely for Indica Al-tolerant varieties, while only one pathway (i.e., "Sulfur metabolism") was found uniquely for Japonica Al-tolerant varieties. For Al-sensitive varieties, one identical pathway was found, both in Indica and Japonica. Three pathways were found uniquely in "Starch and sucrose metabolism", "Metabolic pathway", and "Amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism".

Zhang|Peng|P|0000-0003-2224-9942 Ding|Zhuoran|Z| Zhong|Zhengzheng|Z| Tong|Hanhua|H|

D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant

transcriptomic analysis
Indica
Japonica
aluminum toxicity