The Expression of Activating Receptor Gene of Natural Killer Cells (KLRC3) in Patients with
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM).

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
To identify the possible role of natural killer (NK) cells in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) through studying the expression of the KLRC3 gene, which encodes the NK cell activating receptor (NKG2E).

METHODS
This study was conducted at Alexandria University Children's Hospital from April to October 2015. The study was conducted with 30 newly diagnosed T1DM patients (15 males and 15 females), aged 7-13 years (10.6±1.8 years) and 20 non-diabetic subjects served as age- and sex-matched controls. The patients were further sub-divided into two groups; group I included patients who first presented with classical symptoms of DM (polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia) without diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) and group II included patients who first presented with DKA. The expression of the KLRC3 gene was measured in each group using the real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS
KLRC3 gene expression was significantly downregulated in T1DM cases compared to healthy controls (p = 0.001). Expression was more downregulated in group I patients (p = 0.008). Moreover, there was higher mean value of glycated heamoglobin and lower C-peptide levels in group I than group II. Serum pancreatic amylase showed no significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS
KLRC3 gene expression was downregulated in patients with T1DM compared to healthy controls. Downregulation of expression was greater in DKA patients compared to those who presented with classical symptoms. Expression of KLRC3 in T1DM might play a role in the pathogenesis of T1DM and could be a predictor of its severity.

Shalaby|Dalia|D|
Saied|Marwa|M|
Khater|Doaa|D|
Abou Zeid|Abla|A|

Gene Expression
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
KLRC3 protein, human
Killer Cells, Natural


The Effect of Plasma Activated Water on Maize (Zea mays L.) under Arsenic Stress.

Abstract: Plasma activated water (PAW) is a source of various chemical species useful for plant growth, development, and stress response. In the present study, PAW was generated by a transient spark discharge (TS) operated in ambient air and used on maize corns and seedlings in the 3 day paper rolls cultivation followed by 10 day hydroponics cultivation. For 3 day cultivation, two pre-treatments were established, "priming PAW" and "rolls PAW", with corns imbibed for 6 h in the PAW and then watered daily by fresh water and PAW, respectively. The roots and the shoot were then analyzed for guaiacol peroxidase (G-POX, POX) activity, root tissues for their lignification, and root cell walls for in situ POX activity. To evaluate the potential of PAW in the alleviation abiotic stress, ten randomly selected seedlings were hydroponically cultivated for the following 10 days in 0.5 Hoagland nutrient solutions with and without 150 μM As. The seedlings were then analyzed for POX and catalase (CAT) activities after As treatment, their leaves for photosynthetic pigments concentration, and leaves and roots for As concentration. The PAW improved the growth of the 3 day-old seedlings in terms of the root and the shoot length, while roots revealed accelerated endodermal development. After the following 10 day cultivation, roots from PAW pre-treatment were shorter and thinner but more branched than the control roots. The PAW also enhanced the POX activity immediately after the imbibition and in the 3 day old roots. After 10 day hydroponic cultivation, antioxidant response depended on the PAW pre-treatment. CAT activity was higher in As treatments compared to the corresponding PAW treatments, while POX activity was not obvious, and its elevated activity was found only in the priming PAW treatment. The PAW pre-treatment protected chlorophylls in the following treatments combined with As, while carotenoids increased in treatments despite PAW pre-treatment. Finally, the accumulation of As in the roots was not affected by PAW pre-treatment but increased in the leaves.

plasma activated water
maize
arsenic
antioxidants


Cryopreserved arterial grafts as a conduit in outflow reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Few reports have addressed the use of cryopreserved arterial grafts (CAG) for anterior section drainage in right lobe living donor liver transplantation (RL LDLT), and the impact of atherosclerosis on patency rate (PR) is not well studied. Also, those reports have limited case numbers. The aim of the present study is to report the largest experience with CAG in outflow reconstruction in RL LDLT and the impact of atherosclerosis on its patency.

METHODS
During 2010 and 2011, 62 of 243 patients who underwent LDLT received outflow reconstruction with CAG for RL grafts. Atherosclerosis in CAG was classified into early, intermediate and advanced lesions according to the classification adopted by the American Heart Association: group 1 with grafts having no atherosclerosis or early lesions; and group 2 with grafts having intermediate and advanced lesions. Patency rates of CAG correlated with atherosclerotic change of CAG were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS
The study group comprised 65 CAGs with 1, 3 and 6 months PR of 86.2%, 84.6% and 75.2% respectively. Histopathological examination was successful in 53 CAGs. The 1, 3 and 6 months PR of group with no/early atherosclerosis were 86%, 83.7% and 76.7%, respectively, while for groups with intermediate/advanced lesions they were 90%. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.384).

CONCLUSIONS
Cryopreserved arterial grafts can be used for outflow reconstruction in RL LDLT with a good patency rate. Atherosclerosis appears to have minimal effect on CAG patency, yet further studies with larger cohorts are needed to support our results.

Ali|Mahmoud Abdelwahab|MA|
Yong|Chee-Chien|CC|
Eng|Hock-Liew|HL|
Wang|Chih-Chi|CC|
Lin|Ting-Lung|TL|
Li|Wei-Feng|WF|
Wang|Shih-Ho|SH|
Lin|Chih-Che|CC|
Yap|Anthony|A|
Chen|Chao-Long|CL|

Cryopreservation
Arterial grafts
Outflow reconstruction
Living donor liver transplantation
Patency


The C Terminus of Rotavirus VP4 Protein Contains an Actin Binding Domain Which Requires Cooperation with the Coiled-Coil Domain for Actin Remodeling.

Abstract: The interactions between viruses and actin cytoskeleton have been widely studied. We showed that rotaviruses remodel microfilaments in intestinal cells and demonstrated that this was due to the VP4 spike protein. Microfilaments mainly occur in the apical domain of infected polarized enterocytes and favor the polarized apical exit of viral progeny. The present work aims at the identification of molecular determinants of actin-VP4 interactions. We used various deletion mutants of VP4 that were transfected into Cos-7 cells and analyzed interactions by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. It has been established that the C-terminal part of VP4 is embedded within viral particles when rotavirus assembles. The use of specific monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that VP4 is expressed in different forms in infected cells: classically as spike on the outer layer of virus particles, but also as free soluble protein in the cytosol. The C terminus of free VP4 was identified as interacting with actin microfilaments. The VP4 actin binding domain is unable to promote microfilament remodeling by itself; the coiled-coil domain is also required in this process. This actin-binding domain was shown to dominate a previously identified peroxisomal targeting signal, located in the three last amino acids of VP4. The newly identified actin-binding domain is highly conserved in rotavirus strains from species A, B, and C, suggesting that actin binding and remodeling is a general strategy for rotavirus exit. This provides a novel mechanism of protein-protein interactions, not involving cell signaling pathways, to facilitate rotavirus exit.IMPORTANCE Rotaviruses are causal agents of acute infantile viral diarrhea. In intestinal cells, in vitro as well as in vivo, virus assembly and exit do not imply cell lysis but rely on an active process in which the cytoskeleton plays a major role. We describe here a novel molecular mechanism by which the rotavirus spike protein VP4 drives actin remodeling. This relies on the fact that VP4 occurs in different forms. Besides its structural function within the virion, a large proportion of VP4 is expressed as free protein. Here, we show that free VP4 possesses a functional actin-binding domain. This domain, in coordination with a coiled-coil domain, promotes actin cytoskeleton remodeling, thereby providing the capacity to destabilize the cell membrane and allow efficient rotavirus exit.

Condemine|Wilfried|W| Eguether|Thibaut|T| Couroussé|Nathalie|N| Etchebest|Catherine|C| Gardet|Agnes|A| Trugnan|Germain|G| Chwetzoff|Serge|S|

D000199:Actins
D000818:Animals
D001665:Binding Sites
D019556:COS Cells
D036022:Capsid Proteins
D002460:Cell Line
D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops
D018613:Microscopy, Confocal
D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence
D009154:Mutation
D011485:Protein Binding
D000072417:Protein Domains
D012401:Rotavirus

rotavirus
VP4 protein
actin binding
actin remodeling
protein domain


The Correlation Between Psychiatric Disorders and Women's Lives.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
Psychiatric disorders are important factors which affect the quality of life: employment rates, interpersonal and intrafamilial communications, marriage, child-bearing, parental skills and many other social - cognitive areas in different ways. Psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and depressive disorder have a negative impact on women's lives. This study has compared the relationship between these mental illnesses and the liabilities of women's lives.

METHODS
For the purpose of this study, 61 schizophrenics, 35 bipolar and 40 unipolar female patients and 60 healthy controls from a university hospital of eastern Turkey were evaluated with SCID- I, a family environmental scale and a personal information questionnaire.

RESULTS
The women with psychiatric disorders had higher rates of unemployment, shorter durations of marriage and lower numbers of parity, as compared to their healthy counterparts, especially after the onset of their illnesses. The schizophrenia and bipolar groups are at risk due to the psychotropic medications which they take during pregnancy. The onset or the exacerbations of illnesses during the postpartum period are also seen more in the schizophrenia and the bipolar groups. However, the patients did not use medicines more than the healthy controls during lactation. The schizophrenia and bipolar groups seem to be failing in using reliable methods of contraception. This data is important due to the traditional and the socio-economical structure of eastern Turkey, which may interrelate with the results.

CONCLUSION
Women have to play various roles in life and they have various challenges which are related to these roles. The female psychiatric patients should be evaluated in the special perspective of 'being women', along with other clinical parameters. The evaluation of the social, cultural and the economic aspects and the collaborative teams of different clinical disciplines which are related to women's mental health would be beneficial.

Bursalioglu|Fusun Sevimli|FS|
Aydin|Nazan|N|
Yazici|Esra|E|
Yazici|Ahmet Bulent|AB|

Disorder
Marriage
Parent
Pregnancy
Mental health
Psychiatry
Woman


In Vitro Assembly of Virus-Like Particles and Their Applications.

Abstract: Virus-like particles (VLPs) are increasingly used for vaccine development and drug delivery. Assembly of VLPs from purified monomers in a chemically defined reaction is advantageous compared to in vivo assembly, because it avoids encapsidation of host-derived components and enables loading with added cargoes. This review provides an overview of ex cella VLP production methods focusing on capsid protein production, factors that impact the in vitro assembly, and approaches to characterize in vitro VLPs. The uses of in vitro produced VLPs as vaccines and for therapeutic delivery are also reported.

in vitro assembly
virus-like particle
drug delivery
capsid protein
VLP-based vaccines


Feasibility study to improve deep learning in OCT diagnosis of rare retinal diseases with few-shot classification.

Abstract: Deep learning (DL) has been successfully applied to the diagnosis of ophthalmic diseases. However, rare diseases are commonly neglected due to insufficient data. Here, we demonstrate that few-shot learning (FSL) using a generative adversarial network (GAN) can improve the applicability of DL in the optical coherence tomography (OCT) diagnosis of rare diseases. Four major classes with a large number of datasets and five rare disease classes with a few-shot dataset are included in this study. Before training the classifier, we constructed GAN models to generate pathological OCT images of each rare disease from normal OCT images. The Inception-v3 architecture was trained using an augmented training dataset, and the final model was validated using an independent test dataset. The synthetic images helped in the extraction of the characteristic features of each rare disease. The proposed DL model demonstrated a significant improvement in the accuracy of the OCT diagnosis of rare retinal diseases and outperformed the traditional DL models, Siamese network, and prototypical network. By increasing the accuracy of diagnosing rare retinal diseases through FSL, clinicians can avoid neglecting rare diseases with DL assistance, thereby reducing diagnosis delay and patient burden.

D000077321:Deep Learning
D005240:Feasibility Studies
D006801:Humans
D016571:Neural Networks, Computer
D035583:Rare Diseases
D012164:Retinal Diseases
D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence

Deep learning
Rare diseases
Few-shot learning
Generative adversarial network
Optical coherence tomography


High morbidity and mortality in adults hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus infections.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Better understanding of complications and outcomes of adults hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is necessary.

METHODS
A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all adults (≥ 18 years) admitted to 3 acute care general hospitals in Hong Kong with virologically confirmed RSV infection during 2009-2011 (N = 607). Adults hospitalized for seasonal influenza during the period were used for comparison (n = 547). Both infections were prospectively diagnosed following a standard protocol. Independent reviews of chest radiographs were performed by radiologists. Main outcome measures were all-cause death, respiratory failure requiring ventilatory support, and hospitalization duration. Cox proportional hazards models were used for analyses.

RESULTS
The mean age of RSV patients was 75 (SD, 16) years; 87% had underlying conditions. Lower respiratory and cardiovascular complications were diagnosed in 71.9% (pneumonia, 42.3%; acute bronchitis, 21.9%; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma exacerbation, 27.3%) and 14.3% of patients, respectively; 12.5% had bacterial superinfections. Supplemental oxygen and ventilatory support were required in 67.9% and 11.1%, respectively. Crude all-cause mortality was 9.1% and 11.9% within 30 days and 60 days, respectively; mean length of stay of survivors was 12 (SD, 13) days. Advanced age, radiographic pneumonia, requirement for ventilation, bacterial superinfection, and elevated urea level and white blood cell count were independently associated with poorer survival. Systemic corticosteroid use was associated with longer hospitalization and secondary infections. The overall outcomes of survival and length of stay were not significantly different from those in influenza.

CONCLUSIONS
RSV can cause severe lower respiratory complications in older adults, resulting in respiratory failure, prolonged hospitalization, and high mortality similar to seasonal influenza. Corticosteroids did not seem to improve outcomes. The unmet need for antiviral therapy and vaccination against RSV in adults should be promptly addressed.

Lee|N|N|
Lui|G C Y|GC|
Wong|K T|KT|
Li|T C M|TC|
Tse|E C M|EC|
Chan|J Y C|JY|
Yu|J|J|
Wong|S S M|SS|
Choi|K W|KW|
Wong|R Y K|RY|
Ngai|K L K|KL|
Hui|D S C|DS|
Chan|P K S|PK|

D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections

adults
hospitalization
RSV
respiratory failure
lower respiratory tract infection


Global inequities and political borders challenge nature conservation under climate change.

Abstract: Underlying sociopolitical factors have emerged as important determinants of wildlife population trends and the effectiveness of conservation action. Despite mounting research into the impacts of climate change on nature, there has been little consideration of the human context in which these impacts occur, particularly at the global scale. We investigate this in two ways. First, by modeling the climatic niches of terrestrial mammals and birds globally, we show that projected species loss under climate change is greatest in countries with weaker governance and lower Gross Domestic Product, with loss of mammal species projected to be greater in countries with lower CO2 emissions. Therefore, climate change impacts on species may be disproportionately significant in countries with lower capacity for effective conservation and lower greenhouse gas emissions, raising important questions of international justice. Second, we consider the redistribution of species in the context of political boundaries since the global importance of transboundary conservation under climate change is poorly understood. Under a high-emissions scenario, we find that 35% of mammals and 29% of birds are projected to have over half of their 2070 climatic niche in countries in which they are not currently found. We map these transboundary range shifts globally, identifying borders across which international coordination might most benefit conservation and where physical border barriers, such as walls and fences, may be an overlooked obstacle to climate adaptation. Our work highlights the importance of sociopolitical context and the utility of a supranational perspective for 21st century nature conservation.

political borders
conservation
climate change
transboundary
biodiversity


Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930): Physician during the typhoid epidemic in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).

Abstract: When the Anglo-Boer War broke out in October 1899, Arthur Conan Doyle, a retired ophthalmologist, was already famous as the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Motivated by patriotism and adventure, Doyle joined the medical staff of a private field hospital endowed by philanthropist John Langman (1846-1928). Langman Hospital opened in Bloemfontein, South Africa, at the height of that city's typhoid fever epidemic which raged from April to June 1900. There were nearly 5000 cases of typhoid and 1000 deaths but official statistics do not truly reflect the magnitude of the suffering. Doyle argued that the British Army had made a major mistake by not making antityphoid inoculation compulsory. Because of the new vaccine's side effects, 95% of the soldiers refused immunization. Despite his strong opinions, Doyle failed to press the issue of compulsory inoculation when he testified before two Royal Commissions investigating the medical and military management of the war in South Africa. One can only imagine how the army might have benefited from the new idea of prophylactic vaccination in preventive medicine if Doyle had not let these opportunities slip away. As a consequence, antityphoid inoculation was still voluntary when Great Britain entered World War I in August 1914.

Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes
Langman Hospital
Almroth Wright
Dr Joseph Bell
Dr William Budd
John L Langman
Portland Hospital
Winston Churchill


Communicating the parameter uncertainty in the IQWiG efficiency frontier to decision-makers.

Abstract: The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) developed-in a consultation process with an international expert panel-the efficiency frontier (EF) approach to satisfy a range of legal requirements for economic evaluation in Germany's statutory health insurance system. The EF approach is distinctly different from other health economic approaches. Here, we evaluate established tools for assessing and communicating parameter uncertainty in terms of their applicability to the EF approach. Among these are tools that perform the following: (i) graphically display overall uncertainty within the IQWiG EF (scatter plots, confidence bands, and contour plots) and (ii) communicate the uncertainty around the reimbursable price. We found that, within the EF approach, most established plots were not always easy to interpret. Hence, we propose the use of price reimbursement acceptability curves-a modification of the well-known cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Furthermore, it emerges that the net monetary benefit allows an intuitive interpretation of parameter uncertainty within the EF approach. This research closes a gap for handling uncertainty in the economic evaluation approach of the IQWiG methods when using the EF. However, the precise consequences of uncertainty when determining prices are yet to be defined.

Stollenwerk|Björn|B|
Lhachimi|Stefan K|SK|
Briggs|Andrew|A|
Fenwick|Elisabeth|E|
Caro|Jaime J|JJ|
Siebert|Uwe|U|
Danner|Marion|M|
Gerber-Grote|Andreas|A|

uncertainty
efficiency frontier
decision-making
economic evaluation
Germany


The modeling of medical expenditure data from a longitudinal survey using the generalized method of moments (GMM) approach.

Abstract: Medical expenditure data analysis has recently become an important problem in biostatistics. These data typically have a number of features making their analysis rather difficult. Commonly, they are heavily right-skewed, contain a large percentage of zeros, and often exhibit large numbers of missing observations because of death and/or the lack of follow-up. They are also commonly obtained from records that are linked to large longitudinal data surveys. In this manuscript, we suggest a novel approach to modeling these data through the use of generalized method of moments estimation procedure combined with appropriate weights that account for both dropout due to death and the probability of being sampled from among the National Long Term Care Survey (NLTCS) subjects. This approach seems particularly appropriate because of the large number of subjects relative to the length of observation period (in months). We also use a simulation study to compare our proposed approach with and without the use of weights. The proposed model is applied to medical expenditure data obtained from the 2004-2005 NLTCS-linked Medicare database. The results suggest that the amount of medical expenditures incurred is strongly associated with higher number of activities of daily living (ADL) disabilities and self-reports of unmet need for help with ADL disabilities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hass|Zachary|Z|
Levine|Michael|M|
Sands|Laura P|LP|
Ting|Jeffrey|J|
Xu|Huiping|H|0000-0002-4025-6401

inverse probability weighting-generalized estimating equations (IPW-GEE)


Framing well-being in a college campus setting.

Abstract: This investigatory study sought to explore the range and variation of well-being initiatives on a select cross-section of college campuses across the United States and in Canada. This whitepaper seeks to highlight innovative practices that may inspire institutions to consider new ways of promoting well-being for both students and employees. In this whitepaper, we report findings from 10 participating higher education institutions across three major categories: student-serving programs, employee-serving programs, and hybrid programs. The qualitative data collected from key stakeholder interviews and focus groups were analyzed for trends between and across institutions. Importantly, the results of this study are intended to be hypothesis-generating as opposed to hypothesis-testing. In an effort to describe the state of the field with respect to both common and innovative practices the findings have generated additional questions for further research. Several themes emerged from this study: (1) Campuses have not adopted a universally-accepted definition of well-being; (2) While many institutions are using iterations of the wellness wheel and its various dimensions (e.g. physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, financial) to guide their efforts, there is not a dominant model for structuring or measuring well-being initiatives on campus; (3) There appears to be a systematic shift from use of the term "wellness" to "well-being"; (4) While many institutions are still utilizing traditional health education practices, there appears to be a movement toward more systemic, environmental approaches to well- being, including structural, organizational, and financial strategies, in addition to a range of policy initiatives; (5) There is a range of engagement in well-being initiatives, with significant variance based on institutional philosophy; and (6) Many institutions are designing well-being initiatives that address health disparities-particularly among underrepresented or marginalized populations.

Travia|Ryan M|RM|
Larcus|James G|JG|
Andes|Stacy|S|
Gomes|Paula G|PG|

well-being
wellness
Employee health
health disparities
student well-being
student wellness


The development of prospective memory in preschool children using naturalistic tasks.

Abstract: The development of prospective memory (PM) in 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children (N=123) was assessed in two experiments using several naturalistic game-like tasks that varied in the explicitness of the cues for retrieval that they provided. The goals of the study were to evaluate age differences in PM (a) with the effects of retrospective memory (RM) factored out and (b) as a function of increasing retrieval cue specificity. Results from Experiment 1 showed that there were age differences in PM on a simulated Shopping Trip task that favored older children after age differences attributable to RM were identified in a hierarchical regression. PM and RM components followed the same developmental trajectory. Because the Shopping Trip task provided a visual cue for retrieval, a second naturalistic PM task that was incidental to the Shopping Trip task (i.e., to ask for stickers at the end of the shopping trip) was included but provided no explicit cue other than the end of Shopping Trip task itself. A binary logistic regression showed that age did not predict children who succeeded and those who did not succeed. Because the end of the Shopping Trip task might have cued PM, two new tasks without any explicit cues for retrieval were examined in Experiment 2. Logistic regressions revealed that age predicted PM success on both tasks. With additional cues following failure to retrieve the PM intention, nearly all children succeeded, but the number of cues needed increased with age. The joint and separate contributions of PM and RM to successful task performance are discussed.

Walsh|Stephanie J|SJ|
Martin|Gerard M|GM|
Courage|Mary L|ML|

Prospective memory
Preschoolers
Retrospective memory
Retrieval cues
Executive functions
Forgetting
Memory development
Naturalistic memory tasks


Quality of life and its relation with nutritional status in patients with incurable cancer in palliative care.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Nutritional impairment is common in cancer patients and adversely affects quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between nutritional status and QoL in incurable cancer patients in palliative care.

METHODS
A prospective cohort with incurable cancer patients referred to the specialized Palliative Care Unit of the National Cancer Institute in Brazil was conducted. The nutritional risk (NR) was assessed using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment short form (PG-SGA SF), and cancer cachexia (CC) was defined according to the international consensus. QoL was evaluated using the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative (QLQ-C15-PAL). Multivariate linear regressions analyses were performed to assess the relationship between the nutritional status and QoL scores.

RESULTS
A total of 1039 consecutive patients were included. A high prevalence of NR (85.4%) and CC (78.7%) were observed. The patients with worse nutritional status presented significantly poorer physical, emotional, symptoms domains scales, and overall QoL. CC were significantly associated with QoL scores for dyspnea (p = 0.013), insomnia (p = 0.046), and appetite loss (p = 0.015), while NR were associated with all the QoL domains scales covered in QLQ-C15-PAL.

CONCLUSION
Our findings support that impaired nutritional status was associated with poor QoL in incurable cancer patients. NR assessed by PG-SGA SF better reflects physical, emotional, symptom burden, and overall QoL scores. Thus, this tool may contribute in identifying patients at risk of deterioration QoL.

Quality of life
Nutritional status
Incurable cancer
Palliative care
Cachexia
Malnutrition


Vertical Gaze Palsy Caused by Selective Unilateral Rostral Midbrain Infarction.

Abstract: Vertical gaze palsy is rarely a neurological symptom, although it has been observed in some cases. Here, we report the case of a patient presenting with complete upward and downward gaze palsy. In this case, a small lesion in the left rostral midbrain was observed on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images, and the lesion was considered to cause the ocular symptom. We consider that vertical gaze palsy is an important clue to an accurate topical diagnosis of a brain lesion.

Yokose|Misato|M| Furuya|Kohei|K| Suzuki|Masayuki|M| Ozawa|Tadashi|T| Kim|Younhee|Y| Miura|Kumiko|K| Matsuzono|Kosuke|K| Mashiko|Takafumi|T| Tada|Mari|M| Koide|Reiji|R| Shimazaki|Haruo|H| Matsuura|Tohru|T| Fujimoto|Shigeru|S|

rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (riMLF)


Immunohistochemical Expression of E- and N-Cadherin in Nodular Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostatic Carcinoma.

Abstract:
Background
Different theories have been postulated to explain the development of nodular prostatic hyperplasia (NPH). Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiologic process in which the epithelial cells lose their polarity and cell-cell adhesion and acquire a mesenchymal phenotype.

Aim
The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential role of E- and N-cadherin in the induction of EMT in NPH and prostatic carcinoma.

Methods
This study was carried out on 55 cases of NPH and 20 cases prostatic carcinoma for evaluation of immunohistochemical expression of E and N cadherins.

Results
Most NPH (54/55 cases, 98.2%) and all cases of prostatic carcinoma showed positive N-cadherin expression in prostatic glands and stroma. High percentage of N-cadherin expression by stromal cells was significantly in favor of prostatic carcinoma compared to NPH. High percentage of N-cadherin expression by epithelial cells of carcinoma group was significantly associated with young age while its high expression by stromal cells was significantly associated with multicentricity. About 96.4% of NPH and 75% of prostatic carcinoma showed positive E-cadherin expression with a significant difference. No significant association between E-cadherin and N-cadherins in both NPH and prostatic carcinoma was identified.

Conclusions
The prominent expression of N-cadherin in large numbers of NPH and prostate carcinoma cases in the epithelial and stromal components could point to the occurrence of EMT in those diseases. It also opens a new gate for treatment of those patients by targeting N-cadherin molecule. The absence of inverse association between E-cadherin and N-cadherins in NPH and prostatic carcinoma may indicate that cadherin switch is not an essential step for the development of EMT.

Abdallah|Rania Abdallah|RA|
Abdou|Asmaa Gaber|AG|
Abdelwahed|Moshira|M|
Ali|Hend|H|

N-cadherin
nodular prostatic hyperplasia
prostatic carcinoma
E-cadherin
epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition


Effective Propulsion in Swimming: Grasping the Hydrodynamics of Hand and Arm Movements.

Abstract: In this paper, a literature review is presented regarding the hydrodynamic effects of different hand and arm movements during swimming with the aim to identify lacunae in current methods and knowledge, and to distil practical guidelines for coaches and swimmers seeking to increase swimming speed. Experimental and numerical studies are discussed, examining the effects of hand orientation, thumb position, finger spread, sculling movements, and hand accelerations during swimming, as well as unsteady properties of vortices due to changes in hand orientation. Collectively, the findings indicate that swimming speed may be increased by avoiding excessive sculling movements and by spreading the fingers slightly. In addition, it appears that accelerating the hands rather than moving them at constant speed may be beneficial, and that (in front crawl swimming) the thumb should be abducted during entry, catch, and upsweep, and adducted during the pull phase. Further experimental and numerical research is required to confirm these suggestions and to elucidate their hydrodynamic underpinnings and identify optimal propulsion techniques. To this end, it is necessary that the dynamical motion and resulting unsteady effects are accounted for, and that flow visualization techniques, force measurements, and simulations are combined in studying those effects.

van Houwelingen|Josje|J|
Schreven|Sander|S|
Smeets|Jeroen B J|JB|
Clercx|Herman J H|HJ|
Beek|Peter J|PJ|


Acute effects of aerobic exercise on response variability and neuroelectric indices during a serial n-back task.

Abstract: To determine the neuroelectric underpinnings of exercise-induced changes in working memory, this study investigated the acute effects ofaerobic exercise (AE) on the P3 component of an event-related potential and brain oscillations during a serial n-back task. Task-related electroencephalography was collected in 23 young adults following 20 min of rest and AE on separate, counterbalanced days. The results revealed reductions in standard deviation of response time and coefficient of variation of response time following AE compared to rest. Neuroelectric analyses showed increased P3 amplitude following AE compared to rest. Task-related frontal alpha desynchronization was stronger in the 2-back compared with the 1-back task following AE, while no such modulation was observed following rest. These findings suggest AE may temporarily enhance working memory, as reflected by decreases in response variability, which are accompanied by neuroelectric indices reflecting greater upregulation of attentional processes.

Kao|Shih-Chun|SC|
Wang|Chun-Hao|CH|
Hillman|Charles H|CH|

Working memory
P3
Alpha
Physical activity
Theta


Brain aging and psychometric intelligence: a longitudinal study.

Abstract: In this study, we examined a large sample of 231 generally healthy older adults across 4 years with regard to several brain anatomical measures (volumes of total grey matter volume: GM, normal appearing white matter: NAWM, lateral ventricle: LV, and white matter hypointensities: WMH) and psychometric intelligence (verbal and non-verbal). The dataset comprised four measurement occasions (baseline, 1-, 2-, and 4-year follow-ups). With this longitudinal data set, we evaluated level-level, level-change, and change-change relationships between the anatomical and psychometric measures using latent growth curve models. Our analyses indicate that GM and NAWM decreased significantly over the course of 4 years with annual percent changes of - 0.73% and - 0.79%, respectively. WMH and LV volumes increase with annual percent changes of 7.3% and 4%, respectively. Verbal and nonverbal IQ measures remained stable in our sample. In addition, we uncovered evidence for level-level and -change associations between several of the brain anatomical measures. With regard to brain-IQ associations, we observed a positive level-level association for GM and NAWM, indicating that participants with larger brain volumes demonstrate higher IQ measures. No substantial evidence was identified for level- or change-change associations between any of the brain metrics and the IQ measures. Taken together, these results suggest that while healthy older adults demonstrated age-related neuroanatomical decline over a time span of 4 years, these degenerative changes are not necessarily linked to simultaneous cognitive deterioration.

Brain aging
Psychometric intelligence
Longitudinal study
Change–change-association
Level–change-association
Level–level-association


Sources of variation in primary care clinical workflow: implications for the design of cognitive support.

Abstract: This article identifies sources of variation in clinical workflow and implications for the design and implementation of electronic clinical decision support. Sources of variation in workflow were identified via rapid ethnographic observation, focus groups, and interviews across a total of eight medical centers in both the Veterans Health Administration and academic medical centers nationally regarded as leaders in developing and using clinical decision support. Data were reviewed for types of variability within the social and technical subsystems and the external environment as described in the sociotechnical systems theory. Two researchers independently identified examples of variation and their sources, and then met with each other to discuss them until consensus was reached. Sources of variation were categorized as environmental (clinic staffing and clinic pace), social (perception of health information technology and real-time use with patients), or technical (computer access and information access). Examples of sources of variation within each of the categories are described and discussed in terms of impact on clinical workflow. As technologies are implemented, barriers to use become visible over time as users struggle to adapt workflow and work practices to accommodate new technologies. Each source of variability identified has implications for the effective design and implementation of useful health information technology. Accommodating moderate variability in workflow is anticipated to avoid brittle and inflexible workflow designs, while also avoiding unnecessary complexity for implementers and users.

Militello|Laura G|LG|
Arbuckle|Nicole B|NB|
Saleem|Jason J|JJ|
Patterson|Emily|E|
Flanagan|Mindy|M|
Haggstrom|David|D|
Doebbeling|Bradley N|BN|

D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical

D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling

workflow
health information technology
Clinical decision support systems
electronic health records
ethnography


Risk of Dry Eye Syndrome in Patients with Orbital Fracture: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate whether orbital fracture increases the risk of dry eye syndrome (DES) and identified the profile of prognostic factors. We studied a cohort from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Overall, 46,179 and 184,716 participants were enrolled in the study and control groups, respectively. Each patient in the case group was age- and gender-matched to four individuals without orbital fracture that served as the control group. Cox proportional hazards analysis regression was used to estimate the risks of incident DES. During the follow-up period, the case group was more likely to develop incident DES (0.17%) than the control group (0.11%) (p = 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the case group had a 4.917-fold increased risk of DES compared to the controls. In the stratified age group, orbital fracture had the highest impact on patients aged 18-29 years. Furthermore, patients with orbital roof fracture have a greater risk of developing DES. Regardless of whether having received surgery or not, the patients with orbital fracture have higher risks of DES. Our study demonstrated that orbital fracture increases the risk of developing subsequent DES. Early recognition by thorough examinations with raised awareness in the clinical setting could preserve visual function and prevent further complications.

Hsu|Cindy Yi-Yu|CY|
Tu|Junior Chun-Yu|JC|
Chung|Chi-Hsiang|CH|0000-0002-4576-9900
Sun|Chien-An|CA|0000-0001-9041-0537
Chien|Wu-Chien|WC|
Lin|Hsin-Ting|HT|

dry eye syndrome
orbital fracture
ocular surface


Sleep duration and its relationship with school performance in Iranian adolescents.

Abstract:
Background
Inadequate or poor sleep quality is common problems in adolescent that affect on their learning, memory and school performance. The present study aimed to determine the association between sleep hours and academic performance in young adults.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was designed as a descriptive-analytic study. Samples of adolescents of 14-18 years old in Qazvin city were enrolled. The Pediatric sleep questionnaire and BEARS questionnaire used for all students to screen comprehensively major sleeps problems in them. Chi-square test, t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and correlation were performed to determine the relationship between the data (P < 0.001).

Results
Between 653 adolescents, 40% were male and 60% were female. Sleep duration, sleep onset delay, sleep insufficient, rate of oversleeping and academic performance had a direct relationship with gender (P < 0.001). The sleep duration, rate of oversleeping and academic performance were significantly higher in boys, sleep onset delay and sleep insufficient was significantly higher in girls. Time of falling sleep at weekend nights and weekday nights have positively correlation with age (P < 0.001). Also, a significant relationship between students' sleep hours with academic performance was shown (P < 0.001).

Conclusions
The overall result was that sleep duration, sleep onset delay, sleep insufficient and rate of oversleeping of students in this study had a significant influence on academic performance. Students without difficulty in falling asleep had good academic performance in compared to students with difficulty in falling asleep.

Jalilolghadr|Shabnam|S|
Hashemi|Hassan Jahani|HJ|
Hashemi|Fatemeh|F|
Nozari|Hoormehr|H|
Yazdi|Zohreh|Z|

Sleep duration
School performance
Adolescents


Machine learning for mathematical models of HCV kinetics during antiviral therapy.

Abstract: Mathematical models for hepatitis C virus (HCV) dynamics have provided a means for evaluating the antiviral effectiveness of therapy and estimating treatment outcomes such as the time to cure. Recently, a mathematical modeling approach was used in the first proof-of-concept clinical trial assessing in real-time the utility of response-guided therapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in chronic HCV-infected patients. Several retrospective studies have shown that mathematical modeling of viral kinetics predicts time to cure of less than 12 weeks in the majority of individuals treated with sofosbuvir-based as well as other DAA regimens. A database of these studies was built, and machine learning methods were evaluated for their ability to estimate the time to cure for each patient to facilitate real-time modeling studies. Data from these studies exploring mathematical modeling of HCV kinetics under DAAs in 266 chronic HCV-infected patients were gathered. Different learning methods were applied and trained on part of the dataset ('train' set), to predict time to cure on the untrained part ('test' set). Our results show that this machine learning approach provides a means for establishing an accurate time to cure prediction that will support the implementation of individualized treatment.

Churkin|Alexander|A|
Kriss|Stephanie|S|
Uziel|Asher|A|
Goyal|Ashish|A|
Zakh|Rami|R|
Cotler|Scott J|SJ|
Etzion|Ohad|O|
Shlomai|Amir|A|
Rotstein|Horacio G|HG|
Dahari|Harel|H|
Barash|Danny|D|

Machine learning
Mathematical modeling
Hepatitis C virus
Direct-acting antivirals
Viral dynamics


Availability of Japanese Government's supplemental texts on radiation reflecting the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident for elementary and secondary education from dental students' understanding.

Abstract: Following the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident, the Japanese government created two supplemental texts about radiation reflecting the accident for elementary, middle school, and high school students. These texts were made to explain radiation and consequently to obtain public consent for the continuation of the nuclear program. The present study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of the content of the texts and to collect the basic data on the level of understanding necessary to improve radiation education. Lectures on radiology including nuclear energy and the Fukushima accident were given to 44 fourth-year dental students in 2013. The questionnaire was administered in 2014 when these students were in their sixth-year. The survey was also administered to 40 first-year students and 41 fourth-year students who hadn't any radiology lectures. Students rated their level of understanding of 50 phrases used in the texts on a four-point scale (understanding = 3, a little knowledge = 2, having heard = 1, no knowledge = 0). Questions on taking an advanced physics course in high school and means of learning about radiation in daily life were also asked. The level of understanding of phrases in the supplemental text for middle and high school students was significantly higher among sixth-year students (mean = 1.43) than among first-year (mean = 1.12) or fourth-year (mean = 0.93) students (p < 0.05). Overall, the level of understanding was low, with scores indicating that most students knew only a little. First-year students learning about radiation from television but four-year and six-year students learning about radiation from newspaper scored significantly higher (p < 0.05). It was concluded that radiation education should be improved by using visual material and preparing educators to teach the material for improving the public's understanding of radiation use-especially nuclear power generation because the phrases used in the supplementary texts are very difficult for students to understand.

Yoshida|Midori|M| Honda|Eiichi|E| Dashpuntsag|Oyunbat|O| Maeda|Naoki|N| Hosoki|Hidehiko|H| Sakama|Minoru|M| Tada|Toshiko|T|

D006079:Government Publications as Topic

D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident


Development and function of human dendritic cells in humanized mice models.

Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are sentinel cells of the immune system arising from hematopoietic stem cells. DCs play a key role in the regulation of both adaptive and innate lymphocyte responses. As such, experimental models enabling a thorough analysis of human DCs development and function are needed. Humanized mice models (termed collectively as HIS mice, or human immune system mice models) provide unique opportunities to model human hematopoiesis and tackle the function of human immune cell types in vivo. Here, we review experimental approaches enabling to recapitulate the ontogeny of DC subsets in HIS mice and discuss studies addressing the biology of human DC subsets implementing HIS mice models.

Dendritic cells
Humanized mice
Engineered stromal cells
NSG


Synthesis of Novel Oxime Sulfonate Derivatives of 2'(2',6')-(Di)chloropicropodophyllotoxins as Insecticidal Agents.

Abstract: To discover novel natural-product-based pesticidal agents, we prepared a series of oxime sulfonate derivatives of 2'(2',6')-(Di)chloropicropodophyllotoxins by structural modification of podophyllotoxin. Their structures were well-characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR), high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), optical rotation, and melting point. Moreover, the key steric structure of compound 5f was unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Additionally, their insecticidal activity was evaluated at 1 mg/mL against the pre-third-instar larvae of oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata Walker), a typical lepidopteran pest. Among all derivatives, compounds 4c, 5c, and 5d exhibited more promising insecticidal activity, with the final mortality rates greater than 60%, when compared to their precursor podophyllotoxin and the positive control, toosendanin. It demonstrated that introduction of the chlorine atom at the C-2' or C-2',6' position on the E ring of picropodophyllotoxin or oxime sulfonate derivatives of picropodophyllotoxin was important for the insecticidal activity and introduction of a halogen (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, or bromine) atom-substituted phenylsulfonyl group on the oxime fragment of 2'(2',6')-(di)chloropicropodophyllones could lead to more promising compounds.

Wang|Rong|R| Zhi|Xiaoyan|X| Li|Jie|J| Xu|Hui|H|

oxime sulfonate
structural modification
podophyllotoxin
insecticidal activity
Mythimna separata Walker
natural-product-based insecticide


DNA Methylation Patterns Correlate with the Expression of SCNN1A, SCNN1B, and SCNN1G (Epithelial Sodium Channel, ENaC) Genes.

Abstract: The interplay between the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in respiratory epithelia has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF). The comprehension of the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of ENaC genes is pivotal to better detail the pathogenic mechanism and the genotype-phenotype relationship in CF, as well as to realize therapeutic approaches based on the transcriptional downregulation of ENaC genes. Since we aimed to study the epigenetic transcriptional control of ENaC genes, an assessment of their expression and DNA methylation patterns in different human cell lines, nasal brushing samples, and leucocytes was performed. The mRNA expression of CFTR and ENaC subunits α, β and γ (respectively SCNN1A, SCNN1B, and SCNN1G genes) was studied by real time PCR. DNA methylation of 5'-flanking region of SCNN1A, SCNN1B, and SCNN1G genes was studied by HpaII/PCR. The levels of expression and DNA methylation of ENaC genes in the different cell lines, brushing samples, and leukocytes were very variable. The DNA regions studied of each ENaC gene showed different methylation patterns. A general inverse correlation between expression and DNA methylation was evidenced. Leukocytes showed very low expression of all the 3 ENaC genes corresponding to a DNA methylated pattern. The SCNN1A gene resulted to be the most expressed in some cell lines that, accordingly, showed a completely demethylated pattern. Coherently, a heavy and moderate methylated pattern of, respectively, SCNN1B and SCNN1G genes corresponded to low levels of expression. As exceptions, we found that dexamethasone treatment appeared to stimulate the expression of all the 3 ENaC genes, without an evident modulation of the DNA methylation pattern, and that in nasal brushing a considerable expression of all the 3 ENaC genes were found despite an apparent methylated pattern. At least part of the expression modulation of ENaC genes seems to depend on the DNA methylation patterns of specific DNA regions. This points to epigenetics as a controlling mechanism of ENaC function and as a possible therapeutic approach for CF.

Pierandrei|Silvia|S|
Truglio|Gessica|G|
Ceci|Fabrizio|F|0000-0003-4051-4922
Del Porto|Paola|P|
Bruno|Sabina Maria|SM|
Castellani|Stefano|S|
Conese|Massimo|M|0000-0003-3465-6641
Ascenzioni|Fiorentina|F|
Lucarelli|Marco|M|0000-0002-5538-2494

D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator

DNA methylation
epithelial sodium channel
cystic fibrosis
transcriptional control


Rapid Shifts in Bacterial Communities and Homogeneity of Symbiodiniaceae in Colonies of Pocillopora acuta Transplanted Between Reef and Mangrove Environments.

Abstract: It has been proposed that an effective approach for predicting whether and how reef-forming corals persist under future climate change is to examine populations thriving in present day extreme environments, such as mangrove lagoons, where water temperatures can exceed those of reef environments by more than 3°C, pH levels are more acidic (pH < 7.9, often below 7.6) and O2 concentrations are regularly considered hypoxic (<2 mg/L). Defining the physiological features of these "extreme" corals, as well as their relationships with the, often symbiotic, organisms within their microbiome, could increase our understanding of how corals will persist into the future. To better understand coral-microbe relationships that potentially underpin coral persistence within extreme mangrove environments, we therefore conducted a 9-month reciprocal transplant experiment, whereby specimens of the coral Pocillopora acuta were transplanted between adjacent mangrove and reef sites on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Bacterial communities associated with P. acuta specimens native to the reef environment were dominated by Endozoicomonas, while Symbiodiniaceae communities were dominated by members of the Cladocopium genus. In contrast, P. acuta colonies native to the mangrove site exhibited highly diverse bacterial communities with no dominating members, and Symbiodiniaceae communities dominated by Durusdinium. All corals survived for 9 months after being transplanted from reef-to-mangrove, mangrove-to-reef environments (as well as control within environment transplants), and during this time there were significant changes in the bacterial communities, but not in the Symbiodiniaceae communities or their photo-physiological functioning. In reef-to-mangrove transplanted corals, there were varied, but sometimes rapid shifts in the associated bacterial communities, including a loss of "core" bacterial members after 9 months where coral bacterial communities began to resemble those of the native mangrove corals. Bacterial communities associated with mangrove-to-reef P. acuta colonies also changed from their original composition, but remained different to the native reef corals. Our data demonstrates that P. acuta associated bacterial communities are strongly influenced by changes in environmental conditions, whereas Symbiodiniaceae associated communities remain highly stable.

Haydon|Trent D|TD|
Seymour|Justin R|JR|
Raina|Jean-Baptiste|JB|
Edmondson|John|J|
Siboni|Nachshon|N|
Matthews|Jennifer L|JL|
Camp|Emma F|EF|
Suggett|David J|DJ|

Pocillopora acuta
transplant
extreme environment
Endozoicomonas
mangrove coral
16S rRNA gene
coral microbiome


Bystander Roles in Cyberbullying: A Mini-Review of Who, How Many, and Why.

Abstract: Cyberbullying has progressively increased due to the massive use of the internet and social networks. Bystanders constitute the largest group, occupying a key role in the evolution of the cyberbullying situation and its consequences for the victim. Research shows different ways in which bystanders behave, suggesting different types of sub-roles associated with different study variables. The objective of this literature review is to identify and characterize the roles of bystanders in cyberbullying situations that involve adolescent students. To achieve this objective, a systematic search was carried out in the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases for articles published between 2015 and 2020, resulting in 233 articles. Articles were then selected by relevant title and summary. Subsequently, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in a total of nine articles. The findings of this review allowed us to identify two to five types of bystanders, the largest type representing outsiders and the smallest type representing assistants of the aggressor. The identified types of bystanders are characterized for variables such as sex, age, previous experience, and empathy. The results are discussed considering the available theoretical and empirical evidence.

bystanders
roles
cyberbullying
literature review
adolescents
cyberbystanders


Characterisation of Plasma Mitochondrial DNA, MMP-9 and Neutrophil Elastase in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Effects of Tranexamic Acid and Postoperative Pneumonia.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Postoperative pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery. The inflammatory response to cardiac surgery has been widely studied, but specific mechanisms for postoperative pneumonia have not been determined. Tranexamic acid is renowned for its effect on bleeding but can also modulate inflammatory processes. Cardiac surgery is known to release mitochondrial DAMPs (mtDAMPs) and is linked to postoperative inflammation and atrial fibrillation. We speculated that mtDAMPs might be related to postoperative pneumonia and that this might be modulated by tranexamic acid.

METHODS
Forty-one (41) patients from the Aspirin and Tranexamic Acid for Coronary Artery Surgery (ATACAS) trial were studied. Levels of mitochondrial DNA, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) and neutrophil elastase (NE) were determined in plasma preoperatively, at 24 and 72 hours post-surgery and correlated with clinical outcome.

RESULTS
mtDNA was significantly elevated postoperatively in the placebo and tranexamic acid (TXA) groups. Neutrophil elastase increased immediately postoperatively and at 24 hours. MMP-9 was elevated in the placebo group early postoperatively and in the TXA group at the immediate postoperative time point and after 24 hours. Six (6) of the 41 (14.6%) patients subsequently developed pneumonia. mtDNA levels were significantly increased at the early postoperative period and the 24-hour time point in patients with pneumonia.

CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac surgery releases mtDNA, increases MMP-9 and NE and this was not influenced by TXA. Inflammation postoperatively might be linked to pneumonia since mtDNA was further elevated in these patients. Due to the low number of individuals developing pneumonia, further studies are warranted to clearly identify whether TXA impacts on the inflammatory response in postoperative pneumonia.

Sandler|Nicola|N|
Ho|Heidi|H|
Draxler|Dominik F|DF|
Bain|Christopher R|CR|
Smith|Julian A|JA|
Hauser|Carl J|CJ|
Gruen|Russell L|RL|
Myles|Paul S|PS|
Medcalf|Robert L|RL|

Tranexamic acid
Postoperative pneumonia
Mitochondrial DAMPS
mtDNA


Distribution of genotype network sizes in sequence-to-structure genotype-phenotype maps.

Abstract: An essential quantity to ensure evolvability of populations is the navigability of the genotype space. Navigability, understood as the ease with which alternative phenotypes are reached, relies on the existence of sufficiently large and mutually attainable genotype networks. The size of genotype networks (e.g. the number of RNA sequences folding into a particular secondary structure or the number of DNA sequences coding for the same protein structure) is astronomically large in all functional molecules investigated: an exhaustive experimental or computational study of all RNA folds or all protein structures becomes impossible even for moderately long sequences. Here, we analytically derive the distribution of genotype network sizes for a hierarchy of models which successively incorporate features of increasingly realistic sequence-to-structure genotype-phenotype maps. The main feature of these models relies on the characterization of each phenotype through a prototypical sequence whose sites admit a variable fraction of letters of the alphabet. Our models interpolate between two limit distributions: a power-law distribution, when the ordering of sites in the prototypical sequence is strongly constrained, and a lognormal distribution, as suggested for RNA, when different orderings of the same set of sites yield different phenotypes. Our main result is the qualitative and quantitative identification of those features of sequence-to-structure maps that lead to different distributions of genotype network sizes.

D005075:Biological Evolution
D056726:Genetic Association Studies
D014644:Genetic Variation
D005838:Genotype
D008957:Models, Genetic
D008962:Models, Theoretical
D012313:RNA

RNA
evolution
genotype–phenotype map
neutrality
phenotype size


A composite film prepared from titanium carbide Ti3C2Tx (MXene) and gold nanoparticles for voltammetric determination of uric acid and folic acid.

Abstract: In this study, a solution-processing based galvanic deposition approach is described for in-situ deposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) on delaminated titanium Ti3C2Tx nanosheets under ultrasonication. The nanocomposite (AuNP@Ti3C2Tx) was placed on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and then applied to electrochemically with label-free, and simultaneously sense uric acid (UA), and folic acid (FA) at physiological pH. The modified GCE has attractive figures of merit: (i) The working potentials for UA and AA are well separated (+0.35 V and 0.70 V vs. Ag|AgCl); (ii) wide linear responses (from 0.03-1520 μM for UA and from 0.02-3580 μM for FA; (iii) good electrochemical sensitivities for both UA and FA (0.53 and 0.494 μAμM-1.cm-2, respectively), and (iv) detection limits of 11.5 nM (UA) and 6.20 nM (FA). The electrode exhibited good repeatability (RSD = 4.4%), acceptable reproducibility (RSD = 4.1%), and excellent stability (91.8% over one-month storage). The method was applied to analyze spiked serum samples, and modified GCE is shown appreciable recoveries (97.1-98.8% and 96.8-98.0% for UA, and FA, respectively). Graphical abstractA photograph (top left) of colloidal suspension of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). They were grown on the delaminated titanium carbide Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheet via galvanic displacement deposition method, and their corresponding a low-resolution transmission electron microscopy micrograph (top right) of AuNP@Ti3C2Tx. The graphical representation of AuNP@Ti3C2Tx drop-casted on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) (bottom left), and their voltammetric measurement were applied in the presence of both uric acid and folic acid with increasing the concentration of both analytes (bottom right).

Titanium carbide
MXene
Gold nanoparticles
Galvanic displacement
And human serum
Biosensors
DMSO
Electroanalytical
Intercalation


Food Insecurity and Subjective Wellbeing Among Arab Youth Living in Varying Contexts of Political Instability.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
To investigate associations between food insecurity experience and subjective wellbeing in Arab youth, across different political stability settings.

METHODS
Data from the Gallup World Poll (2014-2015) were extracted for youth aged 15-24 years living in 19 Arab countries (n = 8,162). Food insecurity was assessed using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Life Evaluation Score and Affect Balance were used as indicators of youth wellbeing. The 2014 Political Stability and Absence of Violence and Terrorism score was used to stratify Arab countries into three categories; high, medium, and low political stability. Multivariable regressions were performed to explore the relationship between food insecurity and wellbeing indices adjusting for socio-demographic and socio-economic factors, across different political stability settings.

RESULTS
The prevalence of food insecurity among Arab youth ranged between 3.1% in Lebanon to 91.3% in South Sudan. Food insecurity (moderate and severe) was negatively correlated with life evaluation (β: -0.74 for moderate food insecurity; -1.28 for severe food insecurity, p-value <0.001), and affect balance (β: -22.03 for moderate food insecurity; -33.88 for severe food insecurity, p-value <0.001). These results were consistent across political stability groups, independently from socio-demographic and socio-economic factors. Fewer factors were correlated with life evaluation and affect balance in low as compared to medium and high political stability settings.

CONCLUSIONS
Food insecurity is an independent risk factor for Arab youth wellbeing. Efforts to improve youth wellbeing can be channelled through food security interventions.

Food insecurity
Wellbeing
Arab
Youth
Food insecurity experience scale
Affect balance
Life satisfaction


China's achievements and challenges in improving health insurance coverage.

Abstract: China has undertaken waves of healthcare reforms to keep pace with its rapid economic growth. By 2011, universal health insurance coverage was successfully achieved through the creation of a basic social medical insurance system. Growing economic power, extensive government subsidies, and strategies for program implementation are critical to that achievement. However, the breadth and depth of coverage varies considerably across insurance schemes and localities. The disjointed insurance scheme led to inequality in coverage, accessibility, and affordability of medical services, lopsided allocation of health resources, and increasing medical expenditures, and these remain crucial challenges for healthcare insurance coverage. This paper describes societal conditions, polices, achievements and challenges in improving health insurance coverage in China. Thailand's experience in universal health insurance coverage and its implications for China's new medical reform are also discussed. Solutions including sustainable increases in government investment, transformation of payment methods, reinforcement of primary health care delivery and the referral system, and standardization of benefits packages are strongly recommended to address challenges in China's long-running medical reform.

Zhao|Cuirong|C| Wang|Chao|C| Shen|Chengwu|C| Wang|Qian|Q|

China
Health insurance
healthcare reform
universal coverage


Fucoidan-dependent increased membrane components in HepG2 cells: effect of fucoidan is not due to gene expression.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The precise mechanism of the therapeutic effects of fucoidan (sulphated polyfucose) on cultured hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells is as yet unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Protein components between fucoidan-treated and non-treated HepG2 cells were compared through a quantitative micro-sequencing method.

RESULTS
A dramatic and immediate increment of the membrane compartment and a decrement of RNA virus by fucoidan, as an effect of the Ishi-Mozuku (an edible brown seaweed Mozuku of Japan), are demonstrated. The ratio of membrane glycoproteins to total cellular proteins increases from 28.9% to 43.2% (1.5-fold), and the positive-sense single-stranded RNA viral proteins among the total cellular proteins decrease from 5.3% to 0.29% (18-fold), respectively, in response to 0.102 mg/ml fucoidan in HepG2 cells over three days' period.

CONCLUSION
Fucoidan seems to retard the growth of HepG2 cells through membrane glycoprotein metabolism. Therefore, fucoidan could be expected to have a therapeutic effect on hepatocellular carcinoma.

D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor

D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

fucoidan
Ishi-Mozuku
viral proteins
Direct micro-sequencing
HCC
HCV
HIV
de-anchoring
hydrophobicity
invaded microbes
liver cancer
membrane protein
protein determination
proteomics


Low expression of miR-150 in pediatric intestinal Burkitt lymphoma.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a highly aggressive B-cell lymphoma with rapid proliferation. It has become evident that miRNAs are involved in hematopoietic malignancies. This study was undertaken to investigate the miRNA expression patterns of pediatric intestinal BL tissues.

METHODS
We collected 28 BL and 8 reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH) samples. miRNA expression profiling was performed in BL and RLH tissues to identify BL-related miRNAs, which were further analyzed by qRT-PCR and miRNA-ISH. In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot were used to define the protein targets of the BL-related miRNAs. Furthermore, we evaluated cell growth status by using methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in Raji cell line, which was transected with the BL-related miRNA mimics or inhibitors.

RESULTS
miRNA expression profiling showed that miR-150 had extremely decreased expression levels in BL patients. In both ISH and qRT-PCR analyses, BL had reduced levels of miR-150 expression compared with RLH. However, there is no significant correlation of miR-150 expression and EBV status in BL. Moreover, IHC and western blotting defined that c-Myb and Survivin are the protein targets of miR-150. Re-expression of miR-150 reduced the proliferation of Raji cells.

CONCLUSIONS
Deregulation of miR-150 may be useful as a diagnostic tool in BL, based on miRNA profile screening, qRT-PCR and miRNA-ISH. miR-150 plays an important role in BL by targeting c-Myb and Survivin. Re-expression of miR-150 reduced the proliferation of Raji cells, which suggests it to be a promising novel candidate for tumor treatment.

Wang|Miao|M| Yang|Wenping|W| Li|Min|M| Li|Yong|Y|

miR-150
Burkitt lymphoma
Reactive lymphoid hyperplasia
qRT-PCR
ISH


Evaluation of the relationship between gonial angle and impacted mandibular third molar teeth.

Abstract: Mandibular third molar teeth have the highest impaction frequency for several reasons such as lack of space which may be related to the direction of facial growth. Gonial angle is used for the definition of facial growth pattern with some other measures such as mandibular plane angle. Winter and Pell-Gregory classifications are used for defining the level and pattern of mandibular third molar impaction. The aim of this study is to define the relationship between mandibular third molar impaction pattern and gonial angle; also to evaluate relationship between mandibular third molar roots and inferior alveolar canal. Study included 90 patients who had undergone cone beam computed tomography assessment for mandibular third molar impaction. Impacted teeth were grouped according to Pell-Gregory depth (A, B, C) and ramus (1, 2, 3) classification and sub-groups were composed. Winter classification was used for angulation of third molars and their relationship between with inferior alveolar canal was recorded. Gonial angle was measured on panoramic radiographs. Of the evaluated 90 impacted third molars, mesioangular position was the most frequent (34.4%), followed by vertical, horizontal and distoangular positions. Nearly 77% of the impacted third molar roots were related to inferior alveolar canal. While no correlation was determined between gender, age, third molar angulation and gonial angle, C2 sub-group of Pell-Gregory classification showed statistically significant higher gonial angle values. Although no significance was found, gonial angle was higher in level C group. In conclusion, gonial angle is higher in patients with C2 impaction level. Also, although statistically insignificant, Pell-Gregory C group had higher gonial angle averages.

Gonial angle
Third molar
Cone beam computed tomography
Panoramic radiography
Tooth impaction


Trend of the mortality of major liver diseases and its impact on life expectancy in China from 2006 to 2017.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Liver diseases are the serious cause of death in China. We aim to describe the trends and disparities of major liver disease mortality rates and the loss of life expectancy (LLE) in China.

METHODS
Annual percentage change (APC) and average APC (AAPC) were calculated using the Joinpoint regression model. LLE was calculated using cause eliminated life table.

RESULTS
From 2006 to 2017, the overall age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of liver cirrhosis lightly declined (AAPC: -2.97%), whereas the ASMR of viral hepatitis and liver cancer remained stable. Viral hepatitis (AAPC: -4.36%) and liver cirrhosis (AAPC: -4.35%) ASMRs both declined for females. The highest ASMRs of viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis were in the west region, while that of liver cancer was in the middle region. The ASMRs of liver cirrhosis in the middle region and liver cancer in the east region significantly decreased. The means of LLE on viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer were 0.05, 0.1 and 0.46 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
The burden of liver diseases is still severe and there are disparities between genders and different regions in China. Accurate early diagnostic approaches for high-risk populations should be established to eliminate the burden of liver diseases.

Zhu|Jicun|J| Wang|Peng|P| Ye|Hua|H| Shi|Jianxiang|J| Wang|Xiao|X| Wang|Keyan|K| Duan|Fujiao|F| Yang|Qian|Q| Sun|Guiying|G| Zhang|Jianying|J|

mortality
liver diseases
loss of life expectancy
annual percentage change


Diagnostic status and age at diagnosis of hypertension on adherence to lifestyle recommendations.

Abstract: Regular physical activity, smoking cessation, and moderate alcohol consumption are important lifestyle behaviors that can be modified when managing hypertension. This study examined the associations of diagnostic status and age at hypertension diagnosis with lifestyle behaviors among individuals with hypertension. Data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2012 (N = 5231). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate the relative risk (RR) of adopting lifestyle behaviors. A diagnosis of hypertension was associated with an individual being a past smoker (RR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.52). There was an association between duration since diagnosis and being a past smoker (RR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.01, 1.02; P = 0.004). Excessive drinking was inversely associated with duration since diagnosis (RR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.94, 0.96; P < 0.001). Older age at diagnosis was associated with the risk of being a past smoker (RR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.02, 1.04; P-value<0.001) and negatively associated with excessive drinking (RR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.95, 0.97; P < 0.001). Individuals who exercised, even though less than the recommended time, were more likely to have younger age at diagnosis (RR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.97, 0.99; P < 0.001) and shorter duration since diagnosis (RR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.96, 0.99; P < 0.001) compared to individuals with who did not engage in physical activity. Individuals with diagnosed hypertension were more likely to quit smoking, and those with younger age at diagnosis or shorter duration tended to exercise regularly. Regular visits to doctors should focus on hypertension control and health behavior modifications.


Stability and performance of gun propellants incorporating 3,6-dihydrazino-s-tetrazine and 5-aminotetrazolium nitrate.

Abstract: The addition of either 3,6-dihydrazino-s-tetrazine (DHT) or 5-aminotetrazolium nitrate (HAT-NO3) to nitrocellulose-based propellants were investigated. At 25% (m/m) concentration, DHT and HAT-NO3 had significant impact on the burning rate of the propellant, up to 80% higher than that of the reference propellant. DHT was found to have very poor compatibility with nitrocellulose and the nitrated esters used in the formulation despite the presence of stabilizer. This lead to a rapid autocatalytic decomposition reaction resulting in a deflagration. HAT-NO3 also had poor compatibility with the same materials. On the contrary, non-ionic tetrazoles were found to be fully compatible with nitrocellulose and nitrated esters based propellants. Most nitrogen-rich energetic molecules have been studied for their explosive characteristics. This study shed light on the potential use of these materials as burning rate modifiers for gun propellant applications, for which very little is known. Moreover, it investigates the stability of the formulations incorporating nitrogen-rich molecules, as a means of assessing the safe use of these novel propellants.

Lavoie|Jonathan|J| Petre|Catalin-Florin|CF| Durand|Simon|S| Dubois|Charles|C|

Stability
Propellant
Burn rate
Nitrogen-rich
High nitrogen


Effects of trichlorfon on oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and cortisol levels in common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., at different temperatures.

Abstract: Trichlorfon (TCF) is an organophosphate compound used extensively as an anti-parasitic in aquaculture. In this study, we investigated the effects of TCF on the antioxidant defense system, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and stress responses in various tissues of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). C.carpio L. were exposed to different concentrations of TCF (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4 mg L-1) at 25 and 15 °C for two weeks (measurements were taken after week 1 and 2). TCF exposure induced significant alterations in antioxidant responses in the gills and the liver. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) increased considerably after TCF exposure, depending on water temperature, whereas catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels decreased notably after one and two weeks. Remarkable antioxidant responses were observed in the gills, suggesting the gills were more sensitive to oxidative stress than the liver based on CAT, GST, and GSH levels. Notable increases in MDA levels were observed in the gills and the liver. AChE activity was significantly inhibited in the brain and muscles even at the lowest TCF concentration of 0.5 mg L-1, indicating neurotoxicity following TCF exposure. As a stress indicator, plasma cortisol was significantly elevated following exposure to TCF depending on water temperature, thereby enhancing stress. These results suggest that TCF exposure can induce considerable alterations in antioxidant responses, neurotoxicity, and stress reaction depending on water temperature. The assayed enzymes are potential biomarkers of organophosphate contamination.

Trichlorfon
Cortisol
Common carp
Organophosphate
Antioxidant
Acetylcholinesterase


Chemistry of the 5g Elements: Relativistic Calculations on Hexafluorides.

Abstract: A Periodic System was proposed for the elements 1-172 by Pyykkö on the basis of atomic and ionic calculations. In it, the elements 121-138 were nominally assigned to a 5g row. We now perform molecular, relativistic four-component DFT calculations and find that the hexafluorides of the elements 125-129 indeed enjoy occupied 5g states.

5g elements
periodic system
periodic table
relativistic 4-component calculations


Energy-Based Devices in Male Skin Rejuvenation.

Abstract: Men seek cosmetic procedures for vastly different reasons than women. Men often seek discrete cosmetic services with little downtime. Male skin structure generally differs from female skin structure. Dermatologists should consider subtle differences in the psyche of the male cosmetic patient.

Male
Aesthetics
Aging
Body contouring
Laser


Burden of COVID-19 Pandemic Perceived by Polish Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Abstract: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) were expected to be particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the burden of pandemic, perceived by Polish MS patients, with regard to major contributing factors. The survey, conducted in August/September 2020, included: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE), questions on demographic data, MS characteristics, and health-related and social aspects of pandemic burden. Relationships were searched between PSS-10 and Mini-COPE results and other analyzed items, using U Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA rank test and Spearman rank correlation. The survey was answered by 287 MS patients (208 female, 79 male, aged 21-69 years). Since March 2020, 2.4% of respondents had been positive for COVID-19 and 5.2% had undergone a quarantine. Mean PSS-10 score was 19.99, with moderate or high level of stress in 83.3% of respondents. Problem-focused strategies were more frequently used than emotion-focused strategies (1.76 vs. 1.16). Higher PSS-10 score was associated with comorbidities (H = 4.28), increase in major MS symptoms during the pandemic (21.92 vs. 18.06), experience of healthcare limitations (21.12 vs. 17.98), work-related (22.58 vs. 18.69), financial (22.70 vs. 18.83) and family-related problems (22.54 vs. 17.73) due to pandemic restrictions. A coping model was associated with functional disability and limitations to daily activities (H = 7.81). During the first stage of the pandemic, MS patients reported increased level of stress and preferred problem-focused coping. The level of stress and coping showed more relationships with pandemic impact upon social issues than with MS-related variables.

Pokryszko-Dragan|Anna|A| Chojdak-Łukasiewicz|Justyna|J| Gruszka|Ewa|E| Pawłowski|Marcin|M| Pawłowski|Tomasz|T| Rudkowska-Mytych|Anna|A| Rymaszewska|Joanna|J| Budrewicz|Sławomir|S|

COVID-19 pandemic
multiple sclerosis
perceived stress
coping strategies


Clinical audit of estradiol implant therapy: Long duration of action and implications in non-hysterectomised women.

Abstract: We audited the files of 114 postmenopausal women who had been treated with subcutaneous Estrapel (50mg oestradiol implants). Of the 92 women who received more than one implant, the median number of days between implants was 223.5 (range 49-875), with an estimated median time to return to baseline of 311days (range 108-1228). Although oestradiol implants can provide an excellent non-oral treatment option, their prolonged action makes patient selection important, as the implants cannot easily be removed. In women with an intact uterus, the continuation of progestin therapy after cessation of implant therapy is imperative.

Wheatley|Shaday|S|
Bell|Robin J|RJ|
Stuckey|Bronwyn G A|BG|
Robinson|Penelope J|PJ|
Davis|Susan R|SR|

Oestradiol
Hormone implant
Menopausal hormone therapy


A Canine's Behavior and Cognitive State as It Relates to Immobility and the Success of Physical Rehabilitation in the Non-ambulatory Spinal Cord Patient.

Abstract: Physical rehabilitation (PR) is recommended following spinal cord injury to help improve and maintain muscle elasticity, joint mobility, and nerve health. It can also be used to relieve pain and improve cardiopulmonary fitness in an immobile patient. There is evidence, in human medicine, that PR plays a critical role in mental health and the psychological state of the patient. As part of the assessment phase, human physical therapists often identify psychosocial symptoms and barriers at the start of PR that ultimately may affect improvement in human patients suffering from injury and the loss of mobility. Patient psychological state plays an integral role in healing and outcome during treatment and rehabilitation. Specific interventions set to address these symptoms can better outcome. Arguably, one of the most emotionally traumatizing injuries suffered by a canine patient can be immobility secondary to spinal cord injury. Poorly understood is the role the canine cognitive state plays in the success of rehabilitation following spinal cord injury. Should breed, age, sex, physical fitness, personality, previous experiences and history or home lifestyle, affect the PR assessment of these patients? Do these factors affect eventual outcome following PR? The purpose of this manuscript is to explore psychosocial barriers encountered during injury rehabilitation in humans and determine if the similar barriers need to be considered when assessing a canine patient for spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

canine
behavior and cognition
physical rehabilitation
spinal cord injury
neurology
neurosurgery


Estrogen induces CXCR4 overexpression and CXCR4/CXL12 pathway activation in lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
This study was designed to investigate whether estradiol is related to the expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its activation in lung adenocarcinoma in vitro, since lung adenocarcinomas from premenopausal women have shown high levels of CXCR4, and this expression has been associated with worse prognosis and poor survival.

METHODS
The effect of 17-β-estradiol (E2) (0.03 nM-10 nM) on CXCR4 expression was analyzed in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (SK-LU-1, H1435, H23, A549) by immunofluorescence after 24 and 72-h poststimulation. Tamoxifen treatment was applied to corroborate the estrogenic effect. The wound-healing assay was performed to investigate whether E2 treatment increased CXCR4/CXL12 pathway activity. A549 and SK-LU-1 cells were stimulated with E2, CXCL12, and CXCL12 combined with E2. Tamoxifen and AMD3100 were applied to corroborate estrogen and chemokine pathway activation.

RESULTS
Estradiol stimulated significantly CXCR4 overexpression in all the cell lines analyzed in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. Tamoxifen treatment inhibited the CXCR4 overexpression observed in estrogen-treated groups, demonstrating that estrogen strongly influences CXCR4 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Cells treated with E2, CXCL12 and E2 combined with CXCL12 exhibited significant cell migration, which was suppressed when tamoxifen and AMD3100 were present.

CONCLUSION
Overexpression of CXCR4 induced by estrogen and the activity of CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway could be a new mechanism by which this hormone supports tumor progression and metastasis. These findings may partly explain the worse prognosis observed in premenopausal women and suggest considering the role of estrogen in lung cancer for the design of more specific treatment schemes.

Rodriguez-Lara|Vianey|V|
Ignacio|González-Sánchez|GS|
Cerbón Cervantes|Marco A|MA|

estrogen
CXCR4
lung adenocarcinoma
women
tamoxifen


Cancer incidence of Taiwanese shipbreaking workers who have been potentially exposed to asbestos.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Shipbreaking remains one of the most dangerous jobs worldwide. Shipbreaking workers are exposed to many hazardous chemicals, especially asbestos. Unfortunately, long-term follow-up studies of cancer incidence patterns in shipbreaking workers are lacking. This study examines whether there is an increased risk of cancer among male shipbreaking workers over a 24-year follow-up period.

METHODS
4155 male shipbreaking worker's information was retrospectively collected from Kaohsiung's Shipbreaking Workers Union database from 1985. The study cohort was linked to the Taiwan Cancer Registry from 1985 to 2008 for new cancer cases. The expected number of cancers for shipbreaking workers was calculated by using the age (5-year intervals) and calendar time-specific annual rates of cancer incidence with reference to the general population of Taiwan from 1985 to 2008. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated as relative risk estimates. The hazard ratio (HR) for cancer was calculated for the shipbreaking workers with Total Exposure Potential Scores for asbestos.

RESULTS
After consideration of a 5-year latency period, an elevated incidence of overall cancer (N=368; SIR=1.13 (1.01-1.25)), oral cavity cancer (N=83; SIR=1.99 (1.58-2.46)), and trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers (N=53; SIR=1.36 (1.02-1.78)) was found among male shipbreaking employees. Moreover, mesothelioma cases were found in those who had the occupation of flame cutter. The high asbestos exposure group was associated with an increased SIR of developing overall cancer and oral cancer, whether we considered a 5-year or 10-year latency period.

CONCLUSION
Asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, were seen in excess in these shipbreaking workers and some cases appeared to have a dose-dependent relationship. Preventative measures among male shipbreaking workers should be researched further.

Wu|Wei-Te|WT| Lin|Yu-Jen|YJ| Shiue|Huei-Sheng|HS| Li|Chung-Yi|CY| Tsai|Perng-Jy|PJ| Yang|Chun-Yuh|CY| Liou|Saou-Hsing|SH| Wu|Trong-Neng|TN|

Cancer incidence
Shipbreaking workers
Asbestos
Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs)


Protective Role of Hinokitiol Against H2O2-Induced Injury in Human Corneal Epithelium.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
We recently found that hinokitiol has anti-inflammatory activity in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells. Herein, we investigated the protective role of hinokitiol against H2O2-induced injury in HCE cells and the mechanisms that underlie its action.

METHODS
HCE cells were incubated with different concentrations of hinokitiol or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), which served as a vehicle control, before H2O2 stimulus. The cell viability was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. TUNEL, phosphorylated histone γH2A.X, cleaved caspase-3 expression analyses, and location of cytochrome c were conducted to detect cell injury and apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), and total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) were used to determine oxidative stress. Bcl-2 and Bax protein expressions were measured by western blotting.

RESULTS
Hinokitiol significantly improved the cell viability, decreased the apoptosis rate, inhibited DNA damage, and reduced cleaved caspase-3 expression and the leakage of cytochrome c from mimitochondrion to cytoplasm of HCE cells against the oxidative stress induced by H2O2. Generation of ROS and MDA and decreased activity of CAT, SOD, and T-AOC were also ameliorated by hinokitiol administration. Moreover, Bcl-2 expression was down-regulated while Bax was up-regulated by H2O2 stimulus, which were reversed by hinokitiol application.

CONCLUSION
Hinokitiol protects HCE cells against H2O2-induced injury likely by its antioxidant activity and modulating the Bcl-2 signaling pathway.

Xu|Yufeng|Y| Wang|Shengzhan|S| Miao|Qi|Q| Jin|Kai|K| Lou|Lixia|L| Ye|Xin|X| Xi|Yan|Y| Ye|Juan|J|

hinokitiol
apoptosis
ROS
Antioxidant
human corneal epithelial cells


2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3-Hydroxypropenyl)-7-Methoxybenzofuran, a Novel Ailanthoidol Derivative, Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effect through Downregulation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Lipopolysaccharide-Treated RAW 264.7 Cells.

Abstract: We reported that ailanthoidol, a neolignan from Zanthoxylum ailanthoides and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, inhibited inflammatory reactions by macrophages and protected mice from endotoxin shock. We examined the anti-inflammatory activity of six synthetic ailanthoidol derivatives (compounds 1-6). Among them, compound 4, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropenyl)-7-methoxybenzofuran, had the lowest IC50 value concerning nitric oxide (NO) release from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Compound 4 suppressed the generation of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 induced by LPS, and inhibited the release of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines from RAW264.7 cells. The underlying mechanism of compound 4 on anti-inflammatory action was correlated with the down-regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and activator protein-1 activation. Compound 4 is potentially an effective functional chemical candidate for the prevention of inflammatory diseases.

Kim|Hyeon Jin|HJ|
Jun|Jong-Gab|JG|
Kim|Jin-Kyung|JK|

Ailanthoidol derivatives
Macrophage
Cytokines
AP-1
Inflammation


In which cases do surgeons specializing in total disc replacement perform fusion in patients with cervical spine symptoms?

Abstract:
PURPOSE
The purpose was to investigate reasons and their frequency for why total disc replacement (TDR) specialty surgeons performed anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) rather than TDR.

METHODS
A consecutive series of 464 patients undergoing cervical spine surgery during a 5-year period by three TDR specialty surgeons was reviewed. For each ACDF, the reason for not performing TDR was recorded.

RESULTS
TDR was performed in 76.7% of patients (n = 356) and ACDF in 23.3% (n = 108). The most common reason for ACDF versus TDR was anatomical (conditions that may not be adequately addressed with TDR and/or may interfere with device function), which occurred in 64 of 464 patients (13.79%). The second most common reason was insurance (denial/lack of coverage n = 17, 3.23%), and deformity/kyphosis not addressable with TDR was noted in 13 (2.80%). Pseudoarthrosis repair led to ACDF in three patients (0.65%), two did not receive TDR due to osteoporosis (0.43%), and in two others (0.43%) ACDF was undertaken due to high risk of heterotopic ossification. There was one case (0.22%) each of: nickel allergy, trauma with posterior element fracture, TDR removal, multiple prior cervical spine surgeries, concern about artifact on future imaging studies, benign osteoblastic bone, and limitation to adequate surgical approach for TDR. ACDF patients' mean age was significantly greater than TDR patients' (55.3 vs. 46.7 years; p < 0.01). TDR group had significantly more single-level procedures than ACDF (60.8% vs. 43.5%; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
The most common reason for ACDF versus TDR was anatomy that may compromise segmental stability and/or TDR functionality. Older age and greater number of operated levels may be related to anatomical factors, primarily significant osteophytes and severely degenerated facets. These factors, as well as deformity/kyphosis, are more common in older patients and require multi-level treatment. This study found that many patients are good cervical TDR candidates; however, even among TDR specialists, ACDF may be preferred where it is prudent to not take undue risks. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Guyer|Richard D|RD|
Ohnmeiss|Donna D|DD|
Blumenthal|Scott L|SL|
Zigler|Jack E|JE|

Total disc replacement
Cervical spine
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Indications


Atypical chronic myeloid leukemia with isochromosome (X)(p10): A case report.

Abstract: Atypical chronic myeloid leukemia (aCML) is a rare subtype of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN). Although recurrent chromosomal and genetic abnormalities are frequently observed in aCML, none are specific to this type of leukemia. The present study reported a case of aCML associated with i(X)(p10), a rare recurrent chromosomal abnormality of hematological malignancy. A 40-year-old female was referred to the Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) due to slight leukocytosis and anemia. A bone marrow aspiration revealed 4% blasts and granulocytic hyperplasia with dysplasia. A G-banded cytogenetic analysis of the bone marrow cells revealed 46, X, isochromosome X(iX)(p10) in all metaphases. The percentage of the neutrophil precursors promyelocytes, myelocytes and metamyelocytes in the peripheral blood was >10% throughout the clinical course of the patient, which resulted in a diagnosis of atypical chronic myeloid leukemia. Treatment with hydroxycarbamide was not able to effectively alleviate leukocytosis, and the disease progressed with the appearance of an additional cytogenetic abnormality, t(10;17)(p13;q21). Subsequently, the patient underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation from a sibling donor, and subsequent cytogenetic analysis revealed a normal karyotype with full donor chimerism. The isodicentric X(idicX)(q13) mutation is a similar abnormality to i(X)(p10) and may result in a loss of the X-inactive specific transcript gene located at Xq13.2, the deletion of which has been previously reported to result in the development of MDS/MPN in mice. In addition, i(X)(p10) was identified as the sole chromosomal abnormality at the diagnosis of aCML in the case of the present study, which is similar to patients from previous studies of other hematological malignancies and supports the hypothesis that i(X)(p10) may have served a primary role in the leukemogenesis of aCML.

Yamamoto|Masahide|M| Suzuki|Sayaka|S| Mukae|Jun-Ichi|JI| Tanaka|Keisuke|K| Watanabe|Ken|K| Oshikawa|Gaku|G| Fukuda|Tetsuya|T| Murakami|Naomi|N| Miura|Osamu|O|


Downregulation of hsa_circ_0004543 Activates oxLDL-Induced Vascular Endothelial Cell Proliferation and Angiogenesis.

Abstract: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are novel non-coding RNAs, which show abnormal expression in several diseases, such as atherosclerosis (AS). The purpose of the present study was to reveal the association between hsa_circ_0004543 and AS. In the present study, hsa_circ_0004543 was overexpressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). Inhibition of hsa_circ_0004543 expression facilitated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HUVECs and significantly reduced their apoptotic rate following treatment with oxLDL. Furthermore, silencing of hsa_circ_0004543 activated the PI3K/AKT/NOS3 pathway in oxLDL-induced HUVECs. Collectively, these results demonstrated that hsa_circ_0004543 may play a vital role in the development of AS and affect the proliferation of HUVECs, providing a potential target for treating endothelial cell damage in AS.

Han|Lu|L| Li|Dandan|D| Hang|Yanwen|Y| Zong|Xiaojuan|X| Lv|Jiashun|J| Bai|Xiaolu|X| Lu|Yi|Y| Zhang|Peng|P| Zhou|Meiling|M| Wu|Zhaodi|Z| Hu|Wei|W|

hsa_circ_0004543
vascular endothelial cells
angiogenesis
atherosclerosis
treatment


Prenatal risk factors for childhood CKD.

Abstract: Development of CKD may be programmed prenatally. We sought to determine the association of childhood CKD with prenatal risk factors, including birth weight, maternal diabetes mellitus (DM), and maternal overweight/obesity. We conducted a population-based, case-control study with 1994 patients with childhood CKD (<21 years of age at diagnosis) and 20,032 controls in Washington state. We linked maternal and infant characteristics in birth records from 1987 to 2008 to hospital discharge data and used logistic regression analysis to assess the association of prenatal risk factors with childhood CKD. The prevalence of CKD was 126.7 cases per 100,000 births. High birth weight and maternal pregestational DM associated nominally with CKD, with respective crude odds ratios (ORs) of 1.17 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.03 to 1.34) and 1.97 (95% CI, 1.15 to 3.37); however, adjustment for maternal confounders attenuated these associations to 0.97 (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.21) and 1.19 (95% CI, 0.51 to 2.81), respectively. The adjusted ORs for CKD associated with other prenatal factors were 2.88 (95% CI, 2.28 to 3.63) for low birth weight, 1.54 (95% CI, 1.13 to 2.09) for maternal gestational DM, 1.24 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.48) for maternal overweight, and 1.26 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.52) for maternal obesity. In subgroup analysis by CKD subtype, low birth weight and maternal pregestational DM associated significantly with increased risk of renal dysplasia/aplasia. Low birth weight, maternal gestational DM, and maternal overweight/obesity associated significantly with obstructive uropathy. These data suggest that prenatal factors may impact the risk of CKD. Future studies should aim to determine if modification of these factors could reduce the risk of childhood CKD.

Hsu|Christine W|CW|
Yamamoto|Kalani T|KT|
Henry|Rohan K|RK|
De Roos|Anneclaire J|AJ|
Flynn|Joseph T|JT|

D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects

CKD
obstructive uropathy
children
clinical epidemiology
intrauterine growth
renal development