Pretreatment gut microbiome predicts chemotherapy-related bloodstream infection.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Bacteremia, or bloodstream infection (BSI), is a leading cause of death among patients with certain types of cancer. A previous study reported that intestinal domination, defined as occupation of at least 30 % of the microbiota by a single bacterial taxon, is associated with BSI in patients undergoing allo-HSCT. However, the impact of the intestinal microbiome before treatment initiation on the risk of subsequent BSI remains unclear. Our objective was to characterize the fecal microbiome collected before treatment to identify microbes that predict the risk of BSI.

METHODS
We sampled 28 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) prior to administration of chemotherapy and characterized 16S ribosomal RNA genes using high-throughput DNA sequencing. We quantified bacterial taxa and used techniques from machine learning to identify microbial biomarkers that predicted subsequent BSI.

RESULTS
We found that patients who developed subsequent BSI exhibited decreased overall diversity and decreased abundance of taxa including Barnesiellaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Faecalibacterium, Christensenella, Dehalobacterium, Desulfovibrio, and Sutterella. Using machine-learning methods, we developed a BSI risk index capable of predicting BSI incidence with a sensitivity of 90 % at a specificity of 90 % based only on the pretreatment fecal microbiome.

CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the gut microbiota can identify high-risk patients before HSCT and that manipulation of the gut microbiota for prevention of BSI in high-risk patients may be a useful direction for future research. This approach may inspire the development of similar microbiome-based diagnostic and prognostic models in other diseases.

Montassier|Emmanuel|E|
Al-Ghalith|Gabriel A|GA|
Ward|Tonya|T|
Corvec|Stephane|S|
Gastinne|Thomas|T|
Potel|Gilles|G|
Moreau|Phillipe|P|
de la Cochetiere|Marie France|MF|
Batard|Eric|E|
Knights|Dan|D|

D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Prediction
Bloodstream infection
Intestinal microbiome
Chemotherapy


The Perceptions of Professionalism by 1(st) and 5(th) Grade Medical Students.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
Professionalism is essential for the development of mature physicians but not much education is devoted to that theme.

AIM
We aimed to determine the views of undergraduate medical students on medical professionalism.

METHODS
This was a qualitative study, based on focus groups of the first and fifth-year undergraduate medical students. Transcripts of the focus groups were independently evaluated by two researches. Segments of transcripts, identified as important, were marked as verbatims. A grounded theory method with open coding was applied. A list of codes was developed and reviewed by both researchers until the consensus was reached. Then, the codes were reviewed and put into the categories and dimensions.

RESULTS
Students recognized 10 main medical professionalism dimensions (empathy, respect, responsibility, autonomy, trust, communication, difference between professional and private life, team work, partnership) and two dimensions associated with it (physician's characteristics, external factors). Slight change of the attitudes towards a more self-centred future physicians' figure was observed in the fifth-year medical students.

CONCLUSION
The students have an appropriate picture of the physicians' figure even at the beginning of their medical studies but still needs an education in professionalism. It seems that the fifth-year students perceive physicians as more self-centred when compared to their first-year colleagues.

medical students
qualitative study
medical ethics


New Business Structures Creating Organizational Opportunities and Challenges for Work Disability Prevention.

Abstract: Purpose Flexible work arrangements are growing in order to develop resource-efficient production and because of advanced technologies, new societal values, changing demographics, and globalization. The article aims to illustrate the emerging challenges and opportunities for work disability prevention efforts among workers in alternate work arrangements. Methods The authors participated in a year-long collaboration that ultimately led to an invited 3-day conference, "Improving Research of Employer Practices to Prevent Disability," held October 14-16, 2015, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, USA. The collaboration included a topical review of the literature, group conference calls to identify key areas and challenges, drafting of initial documents, review of industry publications, and a conference presentation that included feedback from peer researchers and a roundtable discussion with experts having direct employer experience. Results Both worker and employer perspectives were considered, and four common alternate work arrangements were identified: (a) temporary and contingent employment; (b) small workplaces; (c) virtual work/telework; and (d) lone workers. There was sparse available research of return-to-work (RTW) and workplace disability management strategies with regard to alternate work patterns. Limited research findings and a review of the grey literature suggested that regulations and guidelines concerning disabled workers are often ambiguous, leading to unsatisfactory protection. At the workplace level, there was a lack of research evidence on how flexible work arrangements could be handled or leveraged to support RTW and prevent disability. Potential negative consequences of this lack of organizational guidance and information are higher costs for employers and insurers and feelings of job insecurity, lack of social support and integration, or work intensification for disabled workers. Conclusions Future studies of RTW and workplace disability prevention strategies should be designed to reflect the multiple work patterns that currently exist across many working populations, and in particular, flexible work arrangements should be explored in more detail as a possible mechanism for preventing disability. Labor laws and policies need to be developed to fit flexible work arrangements.

Ekberg|Kerstin|K|0000-0002-8031-7651
Pransky|Glenn S|GS|
Besen|Elyssa|E|
Fassier|Jean-Baptise|JB|
Feuerstein|Michael|M|
Munir|Fehmidah|F|
Blanck|Peter|P|
|||

Disability
Alternate work arrangements
Employers
Research priorities


Psycho-emotional manifestations of valvular heart diseases: prospective assessment in mitral regurgitation.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
To define the prevalence and consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an emotional response to cardiac diseases in patients with mitral regurgitation.

METHODS
We prospectively enrolled 186 patients with moderate or severe organic mitral regurgitation, presenting class I (absent) or II (minimal) dyspnea, who were compared with 80 controls of similar age (38 with completely normal cardiac function; 42 with mild mitral-valve prolapse; all with no, or at most mild, mitral regurgitation). Mitral-regurgitation severity and consequences were comprehensively measured, simultaneously with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

RESULTS
PTSD prevalence was higher in mitral-regurgitation patients vs controls (23% vs 9%, P <.01). Although mitral-regurgitation objective severity (regurgitant volume 77.8 ± 28.9 vs 79.0 ± 27.5 mL, P = .8) and objective consequences (left-atrial volume 59.1 ± 20.9 vs 54.02 ± 15.6 mL, P = .1; right-ventricular systolic pressure 34.1 ± 11.4 vs 32.9 ± 7.2 mm Hg, P = .6) were similar with and without PTSD (all P ≥.1), patients with PTSD were more symptomatic (class II 74 vs 38%; fatigue 71% vs 38%, both P <.0001) and had higher anxiety and depressions scores (P <.0001).

CONCLUSIONS
PTSD is prevalent in organic moderate or severe mitral-regurgitation patients but is not determined by objective mitral-regurgitation severity or consequences. PTSD is linked to anxiety and depression and to symptoms usually considered cardiac, such as dyspnea. Thus, PTSD and psycho-emotional manifestations, linked to symptoms, represent important responses to chronic-valve disease that may affect clinical outcomes.

Bayer-Topilsky|Tali|T|
Trenerry|Max R|MR|
Suri|Rakesh|R|
Topilsky|Yan|Y|
Antiel|Ryan M|RM|
Marmor|Yariv|Y|
Mahoney|Douglas W|DW|
Schaff|Hartzell V|HV|
Enriquez-Sarano|Maurice|M|

PTSD
Symptoms
Chronic mitral regurgitation


Coronary risk factors associated with OCT macrophage images and their response after CoCr everolimus-eluting stent implantation in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of optical coherence tomography (OCT)-macrophages and OCT findings after CoCr everolimus-eluting stent placement, in addition to coronary risk factors.

METHODS
A total of 89 lesions in 89 patients were registered in the 1- and 3-month cohort of the multi-centre study. Lesion characteristics and post-procedure OCT images were evaluated immediately and 1 and 3 months after stenting. Patients were divided into low and high macrophage grade groups based on the median macrophage grade.

RESULTS
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, HbA1c and blood glucose levels in the high macrophage grade group were significantly higher than in the low macrophage grade group (p = 0.025, p = 0.040, p = 0.032, and p = 0.010). Moreover, total lipid arc and length and number of thin-cap fibroatheromas (TCFAs) in the high macrophage grade group were significantly higher than in the low macrophage group (p = 0.008, p = 0.002, and p = 0.012). After CoCr everolimus-eluting stenting, there was a trend towards a greater number, height, and area of irregular protrusions in the high macrophage grade group compared to the low macrophage grade group (p = 0.091, p = 0.059, and p = 0.085). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus was a significant predictor of high macrophage grades (odds ratio: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-7.3, p = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONS
The accumulation of OCT-macrophages was associated with diabetes mellitus in patients with coronary artery disease. Moreover, macrophage accumulation and diabetes mellitus may be associated with irregular protrusions just after stenting.

Taguchi|Yuya|Y| Itoh|Tomonori|T| Oda|Hideto|H| Uchimura|Yohei|Y| Kaneko|Kyosuke|K| Sakamoto|Tsubasa|T| Goto|Iwao|I| Sakuma|Masafumi|M| Ishida|Masaru|M| Terashita|Daisuke|D| Otake|Hiromasa|H| Morino|Yoshihiro|Y| Shinke|Toshiro|T|

Cobalt chromium everolimus-eluting stent


Abbot Ice Shelf, structure of the Amundsen Sea continental margin and the southern boundary of the Bellingshausen Plate seaward of West Antarctica.

Abstract:
Inversion of NASA Operation IceBridge airborne gravity over the Abbot Ice Shelf in West Antarctica for subice bathymetry defines an extensional terrain made up of east-west trending rift basins formed during the early stages of Antarctica/Zealandia rifting. Extension is minor, as rifting jumped north of Thurston Island early in the rifting process. The Amundsen Sea Embayment continental shelf west of the rifted terrain is underlain by a deeper, more extensive sedimentary basin also formed during rifting between Antarctica and Zealandia. A well-defined boundary zone separates the mildly extended Abbot extensional terrain from the deeper Amundsen Embayment shelf basin. The shelf basin has an extension factor, β, of 1.5-1.7 with 80-100 km of extension occurring across an area now 250 km wide. Following this extension, rifting centered north of the present shelf edge and proceeded to continental rupture. Since then, the Amundsen Embayment continental shelf appears to have been tectonically quiescent and shaped by subsidence, sedimentation, and the advance and retreat of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The Bellingshausen Plate was located seaward of the Amundsen Sea margin prior to incorporation into the Antarctic Plate at about 62 Ma. During the latter part of its independent existence, Bellingshausen plate motion had a clockwise rotational component relative to Antarctica producing convergence across the north-south trending Bellingshausen Gravity Anomaly structure at 94°W and compressive deformation on the continental slope between 94°W and 102°W. Farther west, the relative motion was extensional along an east-west trending zone occupied by the Marie Byrd Seamounts.

KEY POINTS
Abbot Ice Shelf is underlain by E-W rift basins created at ∼90 Ma Amundsen shelf shaped by subsidence, sedimentation, and passage of the ice sheet Bellingshausen plate boundary is located near the base of continental slope and rise.

Cochran|James R|JR|
Tinto|Kirsty J|KJ|
Bell|Robin E|RE|

Bellingshausen Plate
West Antarctica
Amundsen Sea Embayment
continental rifting


Native and Non-native Speakers' Brain Responses to Filled Indirect Object Gaps.

Abstract: We examined native and non-native English speakers' processing of indirect object wh-dependencies using a filled-gap paradigm while recording event-related potentials (ERPs). The non-native group was comprised of native German-speaking, proficient non-native speakers of English. Both participant groups showed evidence of linking fronted indirect objects to the subcategorizing verb when this was encountered, reflected in an N400 component. Evidence for continued filler activation beyond the verb was seen only in the non-native group, in the shape of a prolonged left-anterior negativity. Both participant groups showed sensitivity to filled indirect object gaps reflected in a P600 response, which was more pronounced and more globally distributed in our non-native group. Taken together, our results indicate that resolving indirect object dependencies is a two-step process in both native and non-native sentence comprehension, with greater processing cost incurred in non-native compared to native comprehension.

ERPs
Filled gaps
Sentence processing
Wh-movement


Comparison of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty outcomes with and without subscapularis repair.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Repair of the subscapularis with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is controversial. The purpose of this study is to quantify rTSA outcomes in patients with and without subscapularis repair to determine if there is any impact on clinical outcomes.

METHODS
Three hundred forty patients received rTSA and had the subscapularis repaired, whereas 251 patients received rTSA and did not have the subscapularis repaired. The patients were scored preoperatively and at latest follow-up using the Simple Shoulder Test; University of California, Los Angeles; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons; Constant; and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index metrics. Motion was also measured. Mean follow-up was 37 months.

RESULTS
All patients showed significant improvements in pain and function after treatment with rTSA. For both cohorts, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Constant scores significantly improved, as did range of motion. The repaired cohort had significantly higher postoperative scores as measured by 4 of the 5 metrics and significantly more internal rotation, whereas the non-repaired cohort had significantly more active abduction and passive external rotation. The complication rate was 7.4% (0% dislocations) for the subscapularis-repaired cohort and 6.8% (1.2% dislocations) for the non-subscapularis-repaired cohort.

CONCLUSIONS
Significant clinical improvements were observed for both the subscapularis-repaired and non-repaired cohorts, with some statistical differences observed using a variety of outcome measures. Repair of the subscapularis did not lead to inferior clinical outcomes as predicted by biomechanical models. No difference was noted in the complication or scapular notching rates between cohorts. These clinical results show that rTSA using a lateralized humeral prosthesis delivers reliable clinical improvements with a low risk of instability, regardless of subscapularis repair.

Friedman|Richard J|RJ|
Flurin|Pierre-Henri|PH|
Wright|Thomas W|TW|
Zuckerman|Joseph D|JD|
Roche|Christopher P|CP|

reverse Shoulder arthroplasty subscapularis complications dislocation


A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based investigation of the lamellar interstitial metabolome in healthy horses and during experimental laminitis induction.

Abstract: Lamellar bioenergetic failure is thought to contribute to laminitis pathogenesis but current knowledge of lamellar bioenergetic physiology is limited. Metabolomic analysis (MA) can systematically profile multiple metabolites. Applied to lamellar microdialysis samples (dialysate), lamellar bioenergetic changes during laminitis (the laminitis metabolome) can be characterised. The objectives of this study were to develop a technique for targeted MA of lamellar and skin dialysates in normal horses, and to compare the lamellar and plasma metabolomic profiles of normal horses with those from horses developing experimentally induced laminitis. Archived lamellar and skin dialysates (n = 7) and tissues (n = 6) from normal horses, and lamellar dialysate and plasma from horses given either 10 g/kg oligofructose (treatment group, OFT; n = 4) or sham (control group, CON; n = 4) were analysed. The concentrations of 44 intermediates of central carbon metabolism (CCM) were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Data were analysed using multivariate (MVA) and univariate (UVA) analysis methods. The plasma metabolome appeared to be more variable than the lamellar metabolome by MVA, driven by malate, pyruvate, aconitate and glycolate. In lamellar dialysate, these metabolites decreased in OFT horses at the later time points. Plasma malate was markedly increased after 6 h in OFT horses. Plasma malate concentrations between OFT and CON at this time point were significantly different by UVA. MA of lamellar CCM was capable of differentiating horses developing experimental laminitis from controls. Lamellar malate, pyruvate, aconitate and glycolate, and plasma malate alone were identified as the source of differentiation between OFT and CON groups. These results highlighted clear discriminators between OFT and CON horses, suggesting that changes in energy metabolism occur locally in the lamellar tissue during laminitis development. The biological significance of these alterations requires further investigation.

Medina-Torres|C E|CE|
van Eps|A W|AW|
Nielsen|L K|LK|
Hodson|M P|MP|

Metabolomic
Bioenergetic
Energy metabolism
Chromatography
Sepsis


In Vivo Assessment of Brain White Matter Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis with (18)F-PBR111 PET.

Abstract:
UNLABELLED
PET radioligand binding to the 18-kD translocator protein (TSPO) in the brains of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) primarily reflects activated microglia and macrophages. We previously developed genetic stratification for accurate quantitative estimation of TSPO using second-generation PET radioligands. In this study, we used (18)F-PBR111 PET and MR imaging to measure relative binding in the lesional, perilesional, and surrounding normal-appearing white matter of MS patients, as an index of the innate immune response.

METHODS
(18)F-PBR111 binding was quantified in 11 MS patients and 11 age-matched healthy volunteers, stratified according to the rs6971 TSPO gene polymorphism. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) MR imaging were used to segment the white matter in MS patients as lesions, perilesional volumes, nonlesional white matter with reduced MTR, and nonlesional white matter with normal MTR.

RESULTS
(18)F-PBR111 binding was higher in the white matter lesions and perilesional volumes of MS patients than in white matter of healthy controls (P < 0.05). Although there was substantial heterogeneity in binding between different lesions, a within-subject analysis showed higher (18)F-PBR111 binding in MS lesions (P < 0.05) and in perilesional (P < 0.05) and nonlesional white matter with reduced MTR (P < 0.005) than in nonlesional white matter with a normal MTR. A positive correlation was observed between the mean (18)F-PBR111 volume of distribution increase in lesions relative to nonlesional white matter with a normal MTR and the MS severity score (Spearman ρ = 0.62, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates that quantitative TSPO PET with a second-generation radioligand can be used to characterize innate immune responses in MS in vivo and provides further evidence supporting an association between the white matter TSPO PET signal in lesions and disease severity. Our approach is practical for extension to studies of the role of the innate immune response in MS for differentiation of antiinflammatory effects of new medicines and their longer term impact on clinical outcome.

Colasanti|Alessandro|A|
Guo|Qi|Q|
Muhlert|Nils|N|
Giannetti|Paolo|P|
Onega|Mayca|M|
Newbould|Rexford D|RD|
Ciccarelli|Olga|O|
Rison|Stuart|S|
Thomas|Charlotte|C|
Nicholas|Richard|R|
Muraro|Paolo A|PA|
Malik|Omar|O|
Owen|David R|DR|
Piccini|Paola|P|
Gunn|Roger N|RN|
Rabiner|Eugenii A|EA|
Matthews|Paul M|PM|

multiple sclerosis
PET
TSPO
microglia
lesion
MTR


Inferior frontal gyrus gray matter volume is associated with aggressive behavior in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Abstract: We aimed to assess potential gray matter (GM) alterations for aggressive patterns of behavior in a sample of in- and outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Eighty-four patients previously participating in brain volumetric studies were included. Aggression was assessed using the Modified Overt Aggression Scales (MOAS) based upon review of clinical records of the hospital register. Multiple regression analyses for total MOAS and each MOAS subscale separately were conducted correcting for age, sex, history of addiction, chlorpromazine equivalents, illness duration, and total intracranial volume. Significant effects were reported in two cases; the total MOAS scores and MOAS verbal aggression scores were associated with GM volume in left inferior frontal gyrus. From the demographic/clinical characteristics, only the number of episodes correlated with the subscales and the total MOAS scores. Our results highlight the role of GM volume in left inferior frontal gyri in patients with history of aggression. This evidence ties in well with previous data reporting involvement of these regions in response control and semantic networks.

Schoretsanitis|Georgios|G|
Stegmayer|Katharina|K|
Razavi|Nadja|N|
Federspiel|Andrea|A|
Müller|Thomas J|TJ|
Horn|Helge|H|
Wiest|Roland|R|
Strik|Werner|W|
Walther|Sebastian|S|

Gray matter volume
Aggression
Schizophrenia
State markers
Violence


Structural Basis of Drug Recognition by Human Serum Albumin.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in plasma, is a monomeric multi-domain macromolecule with at least nine binding sites for endogenous and exogenous ligands. HSA displays an extraordinary ligand binding capacity as a depot and carrier for many compounds including most acidic drugs. Consequently, HSA has the potential to influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs.

OBJECTIVE
In this review, the structural determinants of drug binding to the multiple sites of HSA are analyzed and discussed in detail. Moreover, insight into the allosteric and competitive mechanisms underpinning drug recognition, delivery, and efficacy are analyzed and discussed.

CONCLUSION
As several factors can modulate drug binding to HSA (e.g., concurrent administration of drugs competing for the same binding site, ligand binding to allosteric-coupled clefts, genetic inherited diseases, and post-translational modifications), ligand binding to HSA is relevant not only under physiological conditions, but also in the pharmacological therapy management.

Leboffe|Loris|L|
di Masi|Alessandra|A|
Polticelli|Fabio|F|
Trezza|Viviana|V|
Ascenzi|Paolo|P|


Real-time versus static scoring in musculoskeletal ultrasonography in patients with inflammatory hand osteoarthritis.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
Agreement between real-time and static ultrasonographic has not been studied in musculoskeletal diseases. We studied this agreement in inflammatory hand osteoarthritis.

METHODS
Ultrasonography was performed blinded to clinical information of 30 joints of 75 patients with hand osteoarthritis, treated with prednisolone in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Images were scored real-time at acquisition and stored images were scored static (paired in known chronological order) for inflammatory features and osteophytes (score 0-3). Agreement between methods was studied at joint level with quadratic weighted kappa. At patient level intra-class correlations (ICC) of sum scores and change in sum-scores (delta baseline-week 6) were calculated. Responsiveness of scoring methods was analyzed with generalized estimating equations (GEE) with treatment as independent and ultrasonography findings as dependent variable.

RESULTS
Agreement at baseline was good to excellent at joint level (kappa 0.72-0.88) and moderate to excellent at patient level (ICC 0.58-0.91). Agreement for change in sum scores was poor to fair for synovial thickening and effusion (ICC 0.18 and 0.34 respectively), while excellent for Doppler signal (ICC 0.80). Real-time ultrasonography discriminated between prednisolone and placebo with a mean between-group difference of synovial thickening of -2.5 (CI:-4.7 to-0.3). Static ultrasonography did not show a decrease in synovial thickening.

CONCLUSION
While cross-sectional agreement between real-time and static ultrasonography is good, static ultrasonography measurement of synovial thickening did not show responsiveness to prednisone therapy while real-time ultrasonography did. Therefore, when ultrasonography is used in clinical trials, real-time dynamic scoring should remain the standard for now.

Static
Ultrasonography
Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
Reliability
hand OA


Automatic cognitions as mediators of parental influence on adolescent cannabis use.

Abstract:
AIMS
Multiple social influences affect cannabis use in adolescents, including parental and peer cannabis use norms. However, the mechanisms of influence underlying these social influences remain unclear. Recent studies have suggested that cognitions about cannabis use and the effects of cannabis may mediate social influences. The current study explored the relationship between automatic self-generated cognitions and their relationship with parental influences on cannabis use in a sample of n = 675 11 to 16-year-old adolescents over three years (Mean Age: 13.96, SD = 0.88, 56.4% female).

METHODS
Participants reported perceptions of parental cannabis use and completed a cannabis word association task (CWAT), an open-ended cannabis outcome expectancy liking (COEL) task, and measures of cannabis use in the past year.

RESULTS
Perceived parental use did not directly predict cannabis use two years later. However, a latent construct loading on both CWAT and COEL scores strongly predicted cannabis use over the following year. Structural modelling demonstrated that the association between previous cannabis use and parental cannabis use and adolescents' cannabis use over the next two years was fully mediated by cognitions.

CONCLUSION
The results of the study are discussed and interpreted through the lens of dual-process theories.

Pilin|Maya A|MA|
Robinson|Jill M|JM|
Dow-Fleisner|Sarah|S|
Sanchez|Tatiana A|TA|
Krank|Marvin D|MD|

Cognition
Adolescents
Cannabis use
Parental cannabis use
Memory associations


Effects of detraining and retraining on muscle energy-sensing network and meteorin-like levels in obese mice.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Increased intramuscular peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) with exercise directly or indirectly affects other tissues, but the effector pathway of PGC-1α has not been clearly elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise and/or dietary change on the protein levels of the soleus muscle energy-sensing network and meteorin-like (Metrnl), and additionally to analyze the detraining and retraining effects in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.

METHODS
One hundred male C57BL/6 mice were divided into normal-diet + sedentary (CO, n = 20) and HFD + sedentary (HF, n = 80) groups, and obesity was induced in the HF group through consumption of a 45% HFD for 6 weeks. The HF group was subdivided into HF only (n = 20), HF + training (HFT, n = 20), dietary change + sedentary (HFND, n = 20), and HFND + training (HFNDT, n = 20) groups, and the mice in the training groups underwent a treadmill training for 8 weeks, 5 times per week, 40 min per day. The HFT and HFNDT groups underwent 8-week training, 8-week detraining, and 4-week retraining.

RESULTS
An 8-week training was effective in increasing the protein levels of soleus muscle AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), PGC-1α, and plasma Metrnl in the obese mice (P < 0.05). Moreover, exercise in obesity reduced body weight (P < 0.05), and exercise with dietary conversion was effective in reducing body weight (P < 0.05) and fat mass (P < 0.05) after 8-week training. 8-week detraining restored the increased protein level to the pre-exercise state, but, the previous exercise effect in body weight and fat mass (P < 0.05) of the HFNDT group remained until the end of 4-week detraining. 4-week retraining was effective in increasing the protein levels of soleus muscle AMPK, PGC-1α, blood Metrnl (P < 0.05), and reducing in body weight (P < 0.05) and fat mass (P < 0.05), when retraining with dietary change.

CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that regular exercise is indispensable to reduce body weight and fat mass through upregulation of the muscle energy-sensing network and Metrnl protein levels, and retraining with dietary change is necessary to obtain the retraining effects more quickly.

Bae|Ju Yong|JY|
Woo|Jinhee|J|
Kang|Sunghwun|S|
Shin|Ki Ok|KO|

D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha

Detraining Retraining Meteorin-like PGC-1α AMPK SIRT-1


Two new species and new record of Amphinemura (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) from northern China.

Abstract: Amphinemura changbaishana sp. nov. and Amphinemura qiliana sp. nov. (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) are described and illustrated as two new stonefly species from northern China. Affinities of the new taxa with similar regional species of Amphinemura are discussed. Amphinemura verrucosa Zwick, 1973 is reported from China for the first time.

Li|Weihai|W|
Teslenko|Valentina A|VA|
Yang|Ding|D|

Plecoptera, new species, Amphinemura changbaishana, Amphinemura qiliana, new record, Amphinemura verrucosa, stoneflies, Changbaishan, Qilian Mountains, northern China


A framework to address cognitive biases of climate change.

Abstract: We propose a framework that outlines several predominant cognitive biases of climate change, identifies potential causes, and proposes debiasing tools, with the ultimate goal of depolarizing climate beliefs and promoting actions to mitigate climate change.

cognition
behavior change
debias
decision making
polarization


Right Ventricular Function Evaluated by Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion Predicts Cardiovascular Death in the General Population.

Abstract: Background Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death. Right ventricular ( RV ) function is a strong predictor of outcome in many cardiovascular diseases, but its significance is often neglected. Little is known about the prognostic value of RV systolic function in the general population. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prognostic value of RV systolic function, evaluated by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ( TAPSE ), in predicting cardiovascular death ( CVD ) in the general population. Methods and Results A total of 1039 participants from the general population without heart failure or atrial fibrillation had an echocardiogram performed and TAPSE measured. The end point was CVD . During a median follow-up of 12.7 years (interquartile range, 12.0-12.9 years), 69 participants (6.6%) experienced CVD , whereas 162 participants (15.6%) experienced non-CVD. Decreasing RV systolic function, assessed as TAPSE , was a univariable predictor of CVD (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI , 1.07-1.20; P<0.001, per 1-mm decrease). TAPSE remained an independent predictor of CVD after adjusting for clinical and echocardiographic parameters (hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% CI , 1.01-1.15; P=0.017, per 1-mm decrease). Furthermore, in net reclassification analysis, decreasing RV systolic function, assessed as TAPSE, significantly improved risk classification with respect to CVD when added to established cardiovascular risk factors from the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation chart or a modified version of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Pooled Cohort Equation. Decreasing RV systolic function, assessed as TAPSE , did not predict non-CVD, indicating specificity for CVD . Conclusions RV systolic function, as assessed by TAPSE , is associated with CVD in the general population. In the general population, assessment of RV systolic function may provide novel prognostic information about the risk of CVD .

Modin|Daniel|D|
Møgelvang|Rasmus|R|
Andersen|Ditte Madsen|DM|
Biering-Sørensen|Tor|T|


ARTP/EMS-combined multiple mutagenesis efficiently improved production of raw starch-degrading enzymes in Penicillium oxalicum and characterization of the enzyme-hyperproducing mutant.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Application of raw starch-degrading enzymes (RSDEs) in starch processing for biofuel production can effectively reduce energy consumption and processing costs. RSDEs are generally produced by filamentous fungi, such as Penicillium oxalicum, but with very low yields, which seriously hampers industrialization of raw starch processing. Breeding assisted by random mutagenesis is an efficient way to improve fungal enzyme production.

RESULTS
A total of 3532 P. oxalicum colonies were generated after multiple rounds of mutagenesis, by atmospheric and room-temperature plasma (ARTP) and/or ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). Of these, one mutant A2-13 had the highest RSDE activity of 162.7 U/mL, using raw cassava flour as substrate, a yield increase of 61.1%, compared with that of the starting strain, OXPoxGA15A. RSDE activity of A2-13 further increased to 191.0 U/mL, through optimization of culture conditions. Increased expression of major amylase genes, including the raw starch-degrading glucoamylase gene, PoxGA15A, and its regulatory gene, PoxAmyR, as well as several single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the A2-13 genome, were detected by real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR and genomic re-sequencing, respectively. In addition, crude RSDEs produced by A2-13, combined with commercial α-amylase, could efficiently digest raw corn flour and cassava flour at 40 °C.

CONCLUSIONS
Overall, ARTP/EMS-combined mutagenesis effectively improved fungal RSDE yield. An RSDE-hyperproducing mutant, A2-13, was obtained, and its RSDEs could efficiently hydrolyze raw starch, in combination with commercial α-amylase at low temperature, which provides a useful RSDE resource for future starch processing.

Raw starch-degrading enzymes
Penicillium oxalicum
ARTP/EMS-combined mutagenesis


Break-Induced Replication: The Where, The Why, and The How.

Abstract: Break-induced replication (BIR) is a pathway that repairs one-ended double-strand breaks (DSBs). For decades, yeast model systems offered the only opportunities to study eukaryotic BIR. These studies described an unusual mode of BIR synthesis that is carried out by a migrating bubble and shows conservative inheritance of newly synthesized DNA, leading to genomic instabilities like those associated with cancer in humans. Yet, evidence of BIR functioning in mammals or during repair of other DNA breaks has been missing. Recent studies have uncovered multiple examples of BIR working in replication restart and repair of eroded telomeres in yeast and mammals, as well as some unexpected findings, including the RAD51 independence of BIR. Strong interest remains in determining the variations in molecular mechanisms that drive and regulate BIR in different genetic backgrounds, across organisms, and particularly in the context of human disease.

Break-induced replication
MMBIR
RAD51-independent BIR
Rad51-dependent BIR
alternative lengthening of telomeres
mutation cluster


MicroRNA-205-5p targets the HOXD9-Snail1 axis to inhibit triple negative breast cancer cell proliferation and chemoresistance.

Abstract: MicroRNA-205 (miR-205) is believed to be related to the progress of tumors. HOXD9 has been proved to be expressed abnormally in several kinds of cancers. However, the role of miR-205 and HOXD9 in breast cancer remains unclear. The biological role of miR-205 in breast cancer cell proliferation and chemoresistance was investigated. The expression of miR-205 in clinical tissues and breast cancer cell lines were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR test (qRT-PCR). Overexpression and knockdown models of miR-205 were established to study cell proliferation and chemotherapy-resistant. Moreover, the potential relationships between miR-205 and HOXD9/Snail1 were measured using qRT-PCR, western blot, and chemotherapy-resistant study. miR-205 was lowly expressed in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-205 could inhibit cell proliferation and chemotherapy-resistance. Moreover, we proved that miR-205 could target the HOXD9-Snail1 axis to suppress triple negative breast cancer cell proliferation and chemoresistance. The activation of Snail1 gene by HOXD9 was also proved in this study. The present study may provide a novel insight for the therapeutic strategies of breast cancer through targeting miR-205/HOXD9/Snail1.

Lin|Li-Fen|LF| Li|Yi-Ting|YT| Han|Hui|H| Lin|Shun-Guo|SG|

D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors

D064726:Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms

breast cancer
EMT
chemotherapy resistance
microRNA


Ceftazidime-Avibactam Use for Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing K. pneumoniae Infections: A Retrospective Observational Multicenter Study.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
A growing body of observational evidence supports the value of ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) in managing infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed observational data on use and outcomes of CAZ-AVI therapy for infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) strains. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with 30-day mortality. Results were adjusted for propensity score for receipt of CAZ-AVI combination regimens versus CAZ-AVI monotherapy.

RESULTS
The cohort comprised 577 adults with bloodstream infections (n = 391) or nonbacteremic infections involving mainly the urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, and intra-abdominal structures. All received treatment with CAZ-AVI alone (n = 165) or with ≥1 other active antimicrobials (n = 412). The all-cause mortality rate 30 days after infection onset was 25% (146/577). There was no significant difference in mortality between patients managed with CAZ-AVI alone and those treated with combination regimens (26.1% vs 25.0%, P = .79). In multivariate analysis, mortality was positively associated with presence at infection onset of septic shock (P = .002), neutropenia (P < .001), or an INCREMENT score ≥8 (P = .01); with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (P = .04); and with CAZ-AVI dose adjustment for renal function (P = .01). Mortality was negatively associated with CAZ-AVI administration by prolonged infusion (P = .006). All associations remained significant after propensity score adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS
CAZ-AVI is an important option for treating serious KPC-Kp infections, even when used alone. Further study is needed to explore the drug's seemingly more limited efficacy in LRTIs and potential survival benefits of prolonging CAZ-AVI infusions to ≥3 hours.

Tumbarello|Mario|M|
Raffaelli|Francesca|F|
Giannella|Maddalena|M|
Mantengoli|Elisabetta|E|
Mularoni|Alessandra|A|
Venditti|Mario|M|
De Rosa|Francesco Giuseppe|FG|
Sarmati|Loredana|L|
Bassetti|Matteo|M|
Brindicci|Gaetano|G|
Rossi|Marianna|M|
Luzzati|Roberto|R|
Grossi|Paolo Antonio|PA|
Corona|Alberto|A|
Capone|Alessandro|A|
Falcone|Marco|M|
Mussini|Cristina|C|
Trecarichi|Enrico Maria|EM|
Cascio|Antonio|A|
Guffanti|Elena|E|
Russo|Alessandro|A|
De Pascale|Gennaro|G|
Tascini|Carlo|C|
Gentile|Ivan|I|
Losito|Angela Raffaella|AR|
Bussini|Linda|L|
Corti|Giampaolo|G|
Ceccarelli|Giancarlo|G|
Corcione|Silvia|S|
Compagno|Mirko|M|
Giacobbe|Daniele Roberto|DR|
Saracino|Annalisa|A|
Fantoni|Massimo|M|
Antinori|Spinello|S|
Peghin|Maddalena|M|
Bonfanti|Paolo|P|
Oliva|Alessandra|A|
De Gasperi|Andrea|A|
Tiseo|Giusy|G|
Rovelli|Cristina|C|
Meschiari|Marianna|M|
Shbaklo|Nour|N|
Spanu|Teresa|T|
Cauda|Roberto|R|
Viale|Pierluigi|P|

D000328:Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds
D001426:Bacterial Proteins
D002442:Ceftazidime
D004338:Drug Combinations
D006801:Humans
D007710:Klebsiella Infections
D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae
D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001618:beta-Lactamases

ceftazidime-avibactam
KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemases


Assessment Practices in K-12 Physical Education in the United States: A Scoping Review of Research, 2000-2020.

Abstract: Appropriate assessment practices are recognized as a critical part of the learning process and represent a key component of quality physical education. Recent shifts in school reform efforts toward more accountability in the United States and an emerging emphasis on student-centered approaches challenge historical approaches to assessment. Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of this review was to (a) identify research conducted on physical education teachers' assessment practices during the years 2000-2020, (b) determine the impact of assessment practices on student outcomes, and (c) describe research that explores factors associated with the SHAPE America guidelines for appropriate assessment practices. Method: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-Sc) Checklist guided this review. All related empirical, peer-reviewed, English-language studies conducted in U.S. schools and published since January 1, 2000 qualified for inclusion. Results: A total of 17 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Most used non-experimental methods and were conducted in the secondary (grades 6-12) physical education context. Limited studies examined the relationship between assessment practices and learning outcomes. Recommendations for future research are provided based on the results. Conclusions: A diverse body of studies provides valuable, yet limited evidence related to teacher assessment practices. Systematic research is needed to better understand the impact of teacher assessment practices on student outcomes and to build a stronger foundation for evidence-based recommendations for practice.


Effects of Heating Time and Temperature on Functional Properties of Proteins of Yellow Mealworm Larvae (Tenebrio molitor L.).

Abstract: Although the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) is a promising alternative protein source, the effects of processing conditions on functional properties are unclear. In this study, a protein extract of yellow mealworm larvae (PEYM) was subjected to different heat temperature (55°C, 75°C, and 95°C) with different time (20, 40, and 60 min) to evaluate the functional properties and protein oxidation. Different heat temperature treatment significantly affected the exposure of surface hydrophobicity of the proteins and protein molecule aggregation, which reached maximum levels at 95°C for 60 min. Protein oxidation was inversely proportional to the temperature. Both the highest carbonyl value (1.49 nmol/mg protein) and lowest thiol value (22.94 nmol/mg protein) were observed at 95°C for 60 min. The heating time-temperature interaction affected several functional properties, including solubility, emulsifying potential, and gel strength (GS). Solubility decreased near the isoelectric point (pH 5 to 6). As the temperature and heating time increased, emulsifying properties decreased and GS increased. The oil absorption capacity and foaming properties decreased and the water absorption capacity increased. These results confirmed that PEYM is a suitable source of proteins for processing and applications in the food industry.

functional property
yellow mealworm larvae
alternative protein
entomophagy
food processing


Experimental animal models of drug-induced sensorineural hearing loss: a narrative review.

Abstract:
Objective
This narrative review describes experimental animal models of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) caused by ototoxic agents.

Background
SNHL primarily results from damage to the sensory organ within the inner ear or the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII). The main etiology of SNHL includes genetic diseases, presbycusis, ototoxic agents, infection, and noise exposure. Animal models with functional and anatomic damage to the sensory organ within the inner ear or the vestibulocochlear nerve mimicking the damage seen in humans are employed to explore the mechanism and potential treatment of SNHL. These animal models of SNHL are commonly established using ototoxic agents.

Methods
A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed for research articles on hearing loss and ototoxic agents in animal models of hearing loss.

Conclusions
Common ototoxic medications such as aminoglycoside antibiotics (AABs) and platinum antitumor drugs are extensively used to induce SNHL in experimental animals. The effect of ototoxic agents in vivo is influenced by the chemical mechanisms of the ototoxic agents, the species of animal, routes of administration of the ototoxic agents, and the dosage of ototoxic agents. Animal models of drug-induced SNHL contribute to understanding the hearing mechanism and reveal the function of different parts of the auditory system in humans.

Lin|Xuexin|X| Luo|Jia|J| Tan|Jingqian|J| Yang|Luoying|L| Wang|Mitian|M| Li|Peng|P|

Animal model
sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)
ototoxic agent


Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy with a de novo variant in ZEB2 identified by exome sequencing.

Abstract: Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy (EIEE) presents shortly after birth with frequent, severe seizures, a burst-suppression EEG pattern, and progressive disturbance of cerebral function. We present a case of EIEE associated with a de novo missense variant in ZEB2. Heterozygous truncating mutations or deletions in ZEB2 are known to cause Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS), which is characterized by seizures with onset in the second year of life, distinctive dysmorphic facial features and malformations that were absent in this patient. This unique case expands the range of phenotypes associated with variants in ZEB2 and indicates that this gene should be included in the molecular investigation of EIEE cases.

Babkina|Natalia|N|
Deignan|Joshua L|JL|
Lee|Hane|H|
Vilain|Eric|E|
Sankar|Raman|R|
Giurgea|Irina|I|
Mowat|David|D|
Graham|John M|JM|

D000074165:Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 2


Health Status and Health Service Utilization among Vietnamese Farmers in a Mountainous Province.

Abstract: Problems of poor health status and low health service use among farmers in mountainous areas have not been fully investigated. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Son La, a mountainous province in Vietnam, to assess the self-rated health and health care service utilization among farmers. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure the self-rated health. Multivariate Tobit, Poisson, and logistic regression were employed to identify related factors. Among 197 farmers, the mean VAS score was 67.8 (SD = 15.5). Approximately 40% of participants reported health problems, and the most popular morbidity was hypertension-56.4%. There were 28.9% and 50.3% of farmers using inpatient and outpatient treatments in the last 12 months, respectively. Age, educational level, family income, marital status, alcohol use, and source of information have been identified as associated factors with self-rated health status and morbidities, while age, gender, education, and morbidities were related to health service utilization. Data indicated a high proportion of health issues and a high rate of health care service use among farmers in a mountainous area of Vietnam. Adaptable health policies and prevention programs or preventive health services should be implemented regularly in mountainous regions to protect farmers from the onset of morbidities and to enhance their health.

Nguyen|Diep Ngoc|DN|
Nguyen|Long Hoang|LH|
Nguyen|Cuong Tat|CT|
Pham|Hai Quang|HQ|
Hwang|Jongnam|J|
Vu|Giang Thu|GT|
Tran|Bach Xuan|BX|0000-0001-7827-8449
Latkin|Carl A|CA|0000-0002-7931-2116
Ho|Cyrus S H|CSH|
Ho|Roger C M|RCM|0000-0001-9629-4493

D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care

health status
utilization
farmer
mountainous
Vietnam
self-rated health
quality of life


Clinical Characteristics and Short-Term Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury Missed Diagnosis in Older Patients with Severe COVID-19 in Intensive Care Unit.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
Patients with severe or critical COVID-19 are at higher risk for developing acute kidney injury (AKI). However, whether AKI is diagnosed in all the patients and the correlation between the outcomes of COVID-19 are not well understood.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
This cohort study was conducted from February 4, 2020 to April 16, 2020 in Wuhan, China. All consecutive inpatients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO 2012 criteria. The outcomes of patients with and without AKI and whether AKI was or was not recognized were compared.

RESULTS
A total of 107 elderly patients were included in the final analysis. The median age was 70 (64-78) years, and 69 (64.5%) were men. Overall, 48 of 107 patients (44.9%) developed AKI during hospitalization. Meanwhile, 22 (45.8%) cases with AKI was not recognized (missed diagnosis) in this cohort. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that survival was better in the non-AKI group than in the AKI group (log-rank, all P < 0.001); in the subgroups of the patients with AKI, the hospital survival rate decreased when AKI was not recognized. The survival of patients with recognized AKI was better than that of patients with unrecognized AKI (log-rank, all P < 0.001). According to the multivariate regression analysis, the independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality were AKI (recognized AKI vs non-AKI: HR = 2.413; 95% CI = 1.092-5.333; P = 0.030 and unrecognized AKI vs non-AKI: HR = 4.590; 95% CI = 2.070-10.175; P <0.001), C-reactive protein level (HR = 1.004; 95% CI = 1.000-1.008; P = 0.030), lactate level (HR = 1.236; 95% CI = 1.098-1.391; P < 0.001), and disease classification (critical vs severe: HR = 0.019; 95% CI = 1.347-26.396; P = 5.963).

CONCLUSIONS
AKI is not an uncommon complication in elderly patients with COVID-19 who admitted to ICU. Extremely high rates of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of AKI have resulted in an elevated in-hospital mortality rate. Kidney protection is an important issue that cannot be ignored, and intensive care kidney specialists should take responsibility for leading the battle against AKI.

acute kidney injury
diagnosis
elderly
Coronavirus disease 2019
prognosis


A novel carboxylated polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous membrane with high adsorption capacity for fluoride removal from water.

Abstract: To deal with the drinking water safety caused by fluoride, a novel carboxylated polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous membrane (C-PAN NFM) is designed and fabricated massively for the first time by adopting synchronously biaxial stretching and carboxylation. The C-PAN NFM is composed of the layered stack structure by cross-linked nanofibers. Due to its high specific surface area, excellent hydrophilicity, a large amount of carboxyl and amine groups, C-PAN NFM owns high fluoride adsorption capacity and outstanding selectivity. Both the carboxylation and acid treatment of C-PAN NFM improved the fluoride adsorption capacity remarkably. Specifically, C-PAN NFM shows excellent reusability without secondary pollution. The fluoride adsorption behavior of C-PAN NFM is dominated by chemical adsorption, and the adsorption mechanism is mainly driven by hydrogen bonding and ion exchange. The mass-produced C-PAN NFM is a novel polyacrylonitrile-based porous membrane that shows a great application potential for fluoride removal with good efficiency and recyclability.

Chen|Xin|X| Wan|Caixia|C| Yu|Rui|R| Meng|Lingpu|L| Wang|Daoliang|D| Chen|Wei|W| Duan|Tao|T| Li|Liangbin|L|

Carboxylated polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous membrane


Long-term television viewing patterns and gray matter brain volume in midlife.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether long-term television viewing patterns, a common sedentary behavior, in early to mid-adulthood is associated with gray matter brain volume in midlife and if this is independent of physical activity. We evaluated 599 participants (51% female, 44% black, mean age 30.3 ± 3.5 at baseline and 50.2 ± 3.5 years at follow-up and MRI) from the prospective Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. We assessed television patterns with repeated interviewer-administered questionnaire spanning 20 years. Structural MRI (3T) measures of frontal cortex, entorhinal cortex, hippocampal, and total gray matter volumes were assessed at midlife. Over the 20 years, participants reported viewing an average of 2.5 ± 1.7 h of television per day (range: 0-10 h). After multivariable adjustment, greater television viewing was negatively associated with gray matter volume in the frontal (β = - 0.77; p = 0.01) and entorhinal cortex (β = - 23.83; p = 0.05) as well as total gray matter (β = - 2.09; p = 0.003) but not hippocampus. These results remained unchanged after additional adjustment for physical activity. For each one standard deviation increase in television viewing, the difference in gray matter volume z-score was approximately 0.06 less for each of the three regions (p < 0.05). Among middle-aged adults, greater television viewing in early to mid-adulthood was associated with lower gray matter volume. Sedentariness or other facets of television viewing may be important for brain aging even in middle age.

Dougherty|Ryan J|RJ|
Hoang|Tina D|TD|
Launer|Lenore J|LJ|
Jacobs|David R|DR|
Sidney|Stephen|S|
Yaffe|Kristine|K|

Cohort studies
Epidemiology
Lifestyle factors
Sitting time
Volumetric MRI


Risk behaviours of an interrelated syphilis-infected sexual network of men who have sex with men.

Abstract:
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
We examined the risk behaviours in an interrelated sexual network of 33 syphilis-infected men who have sex with men on the use of condoms, substances and websites to meet sexual partners. Our study used a descriptive exploratory design to investigate co-occurring high-risk behaviours in this interrelated sexual network to inform future health interventions and research directions.

BACKGROUND
Although the risk behaviours for human immunodeficiency virus transmission in men who have sex with men have been studied, few have studied the high-risk population of men who already have syphilis, and even fewer have studied the risk behaviours in sexual networks of syphilis-infected men who have sex with men who were identified using contact tracing.

DESIGN/METHODS
The data were collected from semi-structured, individual interviews at a not-for-profit lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health centre in a large city in the Midwestern USA.

RESULTS
Inconsistent condom use was substantial during both insertive (92%) and receptive (88%) anal intercourse. Most participants (97%) reported using one or more substances prior to or during anal intercourse, and Internet websites were the most common place to meet sexual partners (88%).

CONCLUSIONS
High-risk behaviours were significant within this syphilis-infected sexual network of men who have sex with men. The majority of our 33 participants were non-Hispanic Whites (n = 27, 82%), possessed a baccalaureate degree or higher (n = 23, 70%), and actively sought out unprotected anal intercourse [21 participants (64%) used BareBackRT.com, a website to seek out unprotected anal intercourse].

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
Nurses should be more informed about the risk factors of a high-risk sexual network of syphilis-infected men who have sex with men. Interrelated sexual networks have high levels of similarity among participants' high-risk behaviours; contact tracing may be used to identify individual participants for relevant risk-reduction interventions.

Diesterheft|Richie|R|
Brady|John P|JP|
Shattell|Mona|M|

risk behaviour
men who have sex with men
syphilis
Internet
unprotected anal intercourse
AIDS
HIV
barebacking
risk reduction
sexual behaviour
substance use
unprotected sex


The effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease with dementia: Pilot study.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The exact mechanism of cognitive impairment in PD is not known. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been proposed as a possible treatment for cognitive impairment and to treat the motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) where its effects seem additive to those of dopaminergic medications.

OBJECTIVE
In this pilot study we investigated whether repeated sessions of rTMS have an effect on measures of cognitive impairment in patients with PD dementia.

METHODS
33 patients with PD dementia were randomly assigned sham or real rTMS (2000 pulses; 20 Hz; 90% RMT; 10 trains of 10 s with 25 s between each train) over the hand area of each motor cortex (5 min between hemispheres) for 10 days (5 days/week) followed by 5 booster sessions every month for 3 months. Assessments included the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR); Memory and Executive Screening (MES) and Instrumental activity of Daily Living (IADL). Event related potentials (P300) and cortical excitability were measured before treatment and after the last session.

RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the effects of rTMS between groups. Although rTMS improved motor function in the active group it had only a minor effect on two of the dementia rating scores (the MMSE and MoCA) but not the others (CDR and MES). There was also a reduction in the latency of the P300 in the active group.

CONCLUSIONS
rTMS over M1 is useful for motor function and may have a small positive effect on cognition. However, better approaches for the latter are necessary, may be require multisite rTMS to target both motor and frontal cortical region.

Khedr|Eman M|EM|
Mohamed|Khaled O|KO|
Ali|Anwar M|AM|
Hasan|Asmaa M|AM|

repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulations

Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III


Organochlorine pesticides in honeybee, pollen and honey in Bursa, Turkey.

Abstract: g-In this study, the presence of OCP residues in the honeybee, pollen and honey samples in urban and semi-urban areas were investigated. A total of 10 OCP concentrations (∑10OCP) in honeybee samples were 39.14 ± 11.06 ng g-1 for the urban area and 39.93 ± 7.09 ng g-1 for the semi-urban area, respectively. Similarly, ∑10OCP concentrations in pollen and honey samples were estimated to be 21.72 ± 4.43 ng g-1 and 41.83 ± 1.61 ng g-1 for the urban area, 19.77 ± 2.86 ng g-1 and 39.23 ± 3.90 ng g-1 for the semi-urban area, respectively. Also, it was concluded that the existence of OCP residues in both sampling areas was due to the recent use of pesticides. Finally, the cancer risk caused by the consumption of pollen and honey samples was evaluated, and it was found that there was no cancer risk in both sampling areas.

honeybee
pollen
honey
OCP
risk assessment
sources identification


Rapid Development and Utilization of a Clinical Intelligence Dashboard for Frontline Clinicians to Optimize Critical Resources During Covid-19.

Abstract:
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented situation where sudden and prolonged surges of critically ill patients have disrupted healthcare systems worldwide A major concern for hospitals worldwide is how to best manage large numbers of COVID-19 infected and non-infected patients, while still maintaining high-quality clinical care.

Aim
This manuscript describes the system development, collaborative efforts and the challenges encountered in developing an in-house clinical intelligence dashboard.

Methods
Through a longitudinal, interdepartmental collaboration, a COVID-19 clinical intelligence dashboard was created using Microsoft Power BI and Cerner Computer Language (CCL) to demonstrate clinical severity of patients and patient location in a single screen. A color-coding schema was applied to produce a red highlight for patients whose condition is deteriorating, whether due to increasing oxygen demand or worsening laboratory values. An additional function enabled users to drill down into the patient's clinical and laboratory parameters for the past 5 days, and ultimately to the respective patient chart for further assessment.

Results
The development of an in-house clinical intelligence dashboard is a feasible, effective tool to allow frontline clinicians to monitor patient status in multiple wards and proactively intervene as clinically necessary and transfer patients to the appropriate level of care. Comparing the 30 days before and 30 days after the implementation of the dashboard, the percentage of patients who required urgent intubation or cardiac resuscitation on the general medical ward, rather than a critical care setting, declined by over 50% (8 out of 34, 33% vs. 7 out of 55, 13%; two-tailed p < 0.05 by Fisher's exact test; OR 3.43; CI 1.07 to 10.95).

Conclusion
The dashboard has enabled physicians to efficiently assess patient volumes and case severity to prioritize clinical care and appropriately allocate scarce resources. The dashboard can be replicated by developing healthcare systems that are continuing to grapple with the pandemic.

Ibrahim|Halah|H|
Sorrell|Sara|S|
Nair|Satish Chandrasekhar|SC|
Al Romaithi|Ahmed|A|
Al Mazrouei|Shamma|S|
Kamour|Ashraf|A|

clinical intelligence dashboard
COVID-19
informatics
patient care
resource allocation


Suitable carriers for encapsulation and distribution of endostar: comparison of endostar-loaded particulate carriers.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Particulate carriers are necessary to control the release of endostar and prolong its circulation in vivo. The purpose of this study was to identify a suitable carrier for the capsulation and delivery of endostar.

METHODS
We prepared a series of poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG)-modified PLGA (PEG-PLGA) particulate carriers, and then characterized them according to their ability to prolong the circulation of endostar, their physicochemical properties, endostar-loading content, and in vitro and in vivo particulate carrier release profiles.

RESULTS
All the particulate carriers had spherical core shell structures. The PEG-PLGA material and nanosize range appeared to enable the carriers to encapsulate more endostar, release endostar faster in vitro, and accumulate more endostar in vivo. The drug loading capacity of PEG-PLGA and PLGA nanoparticles was 8.03% ± 3.41% and 3.27% ± 5.26%, respectively, and for PEG-PLGA and PLGA microspheres was 15.32% ± 5.61% and 9.21% ± 4.73%. The cumulative amount of endostar released from the carriers in phosphate-buffered saline over 21 days was 23.79%, 20.45%, 15.13%, and 10.41%, respectively. Moreover, the terminal elimination half-life of endostar in the rabbit was 26.91 ± 7.93 hours and 9.32 ± 5.53 hours in the PEG-PLGA group and the PLGA nanoparticle group. Peak endostar concentration was reached at day 7 in the group treated with subcutaneous injection of PEG-PLGA microspheres and at day 14 in the group receiving subcutaneous injection of PLGA microspheres. Endostar was detectable in vivo in both groups after injection of the particulate carriers.

CONCLUSION
PEG-PLGA nanoparticles might be better than other nanoparticulate carriers for encapsulation and distribution of endostar.

D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer

endostar
nanoparticle
microsphere
peptide delivery
poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)


Alveolar soft part sarcoma mimics prostate cancer metastasis.

Abstract: A 61-year-old man presented to the oncology clinic with Gleason 9 (4 + 5) prostate cancer. Staging CT showed multiple nodules in both lungs. Since the lung lesions were too small for biopsy, he was started on anti-androgen therapy for suspected metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. While his prostate-specific antigen decreased from 32 to <0.1 ng/ml, the multiple lung lesions showed no response on subsequent imaging. The patient presented during follow-up with severe right leg pain, at which time magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large, hyperintense mass in the femur. The mass was resected along with two lung nodules, with pathology demonstrating metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma. This serves as an important reminder that lesions suspicious for metastases may be due to cancers of multiple primary origins, particularly if the pattern of metastasis is atypical or there is varied response to therapy.

alveolar soft part sarcoma
prostate cancer
metastatis


Venom diversity in the Neotropical scorpion genus Tityus: Implications for antivenom design emerging from molecular and immunochemical analyses across endemic areas of scorpionism.

Abstract: Scorpions of the Neotropical genus Tityus are responsible for most severe envenomations in the Caribbean, South America, and Lower Central America (LCA). Although Tityus is taxonomically complex, contains high toxin polymorphism, and produces variable clinical manifestations, treatment is limited to antivenoms produced against species with restricted distributions. In this study, we explored the compositional and antigenic diversity of Tityus venoms to provide improved guidelines for the use of available antivenoms at a broader geographic scale. We used immunoblotting, competitive ELISA, and in vivo studies to compare reactivity against commercial antivenoms from Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico, as well as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, cDNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses to assess venom sodium channel-active toxin (NaTx) content from medically important Tityus populations inhabiting Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. Additionally, we raised rabbit antibodies against Tityus venoms from LCA to test for cross-reactivity with congeneric species. The results suggest that Tityus spp. possess high venom antigenic diversity, underlying the existence of four toxinological regions in Tropical America, based on venom composition and immunochemical criteria: LCA/Colombia/Amazonia (Region I), Venezuela (Region II), southeast South America (Region III), and a fourth region encompassing species related to toxinologically divergent Tityus cerroazul. Importantly, our molecular and cross-reactivity results highlight the need for new antivenoms against species inhabiting Region I, where scorpions may produce venoms that are not significantly reactive against available antivenoms.

Borges|Adolfo|A|
Lomonte|Bruno|B|
Angulo|Yamileth|Y|
Acosta de Patiño|Hildaura|H|
Pascale|Juan M|JM|
Otero|Rafael|R|
Miranda|Roberto J|RJ|
De Sousa|Leonardo|L|
Graham|Matthew R|MR|
Gómez|Aarón|A|
Pardal|Pedro P O|PPO|
Ishikawa|Edna|E|
Bonilla|Fabián|F|
Castillo|Adolfo|A|
de Avila|Ricardo A Machado|RAM|
Gómez|Juan P|JP|
Caro-López|Jorge A|JA|

Venom Scorpion Tityus Antivenom Immunochemical Neurotoxin


How functional is a trait? Phosphorus mobilization through root exudates differs little between Carex species with and without specialized dauciform roots.

Abstract: Root structures secreting carboxylates and phosphatases are thought to enhance a plant's phosphorus (P) acquisition. But do closely related species with and without such structures really differ in root exudation, P mobilization, or ecological niche? We investigated this by comparing 23 European Carex species with and without 'dauciform roots' (DRs). Plants grown in pots with sand were screened for DR formation, phosphatase activities, carboxylate exudation, and utilization of various organic and inorganic P compounds. Ecological niches were compared using ecological indicator values and nutrient concentrations of plant shoots in natural habitats. Species of subgenus Carex formed DRs, while species of subgenus Vignea did not. Species with DRs had higher root diesterase activity than species without DRs, exuded more citrate but less oxalate and less total carboxylates, and allocated less biomass to roots. Species with and without DRs showed similar growth responses to different forms of P and different amounts of P supplied; their natural habitats do not differ in soil fertility or degree of P limitation. Despite some differences in physiological function, DRs did not influence the P acquisition and nutritional niche of European Carex species, suggesting that species with and without DRs do not exhibit distinct P-acquisition strategies.

D000704:Analysis of Variance
D031255:Carex Plant
D017753:Ecosystem
D008954:Models, Biological
D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
D010758:Phosphorus
D053147:Plant Exudates
D018517:Plant Roots
D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable
D013045:Species Specificity

root exudation
dauciform roots
phosphorus (P) acquisition
diesterase
Cyperaceae
cluster roots
root phosphatase activity


Abstract:
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the safety of flibanserin in premenopausal and naturally postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in an open-label extension (OLE) study.

AIM
To examine the safety and tolerability of flibanserin 100 mg once daily at bedtime in the treatment of premenopausal and naturally postmenopausal women with HSDD in a multicenter 28-week OLE study.

METHODS
Patients entering this study received flibanserin or placebo in the double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials of premenopausal and postmenopausal women and in a pharmacokinetic study of postmenopausal women.

OUTCOMES
The primary end point of this OLE study was the incidence of adverse events (AEs). Secondary exploratory efficacy measures included the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R) total score and FSDS-R item 13 (distress owing to low desire) score and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) total score. Because the sponsor terminated the study early at discontinuation of the development of flibanserin, only descriptive statistics were calculated.

RESULTS
Of the 595 patients receiving study medication, 346 and 249 patients were premenopausal and postmenopausal, respectively. The mean number of days of exposure to flibanserin was 72.8 (SD = 41.6). AEs were reported by 352 patients (59.2%), and most AEs (93.8%) were mild or moderate. The most common AEs (≥5%) were dizziness (9.6%), somnolence (8.6%), insomnia (6.2%), and nausea (5.7%). There were no flibanserin-related serious AEs and no instances of suicidal ideation. The safety profile of flibanserin was similar for premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The FSDS-R total scores and FSDS-R item 13 scores were numerically lower at weeks 4, 12, and 20 than at baseline (decrease in distress owing to low desire) for premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Mean FSFI total scores were numerically higher at weeks 4, 12, and 20 than at baseline, irrespective of menopausal status of the patients.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
The results of this study support the safety and tolerability of flibanserin for the treatment of HSDD in premenopausal and naturally postmenopausal women.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
Although this open-label study was designed to be 28 weeks long, it was discontinued early by the sponsor, and patients' maximum duration of exposure to flibanserin was 23.9 weeks. The open-label design and lack of a placebo-controlled arm are other study limitations.

CONCLUSION
In this open-label study, flibanserin 100 mg once daily at bedtime was generally safe and well tolerated by premenopausal and naturally postmenopausal women with HSDD. Simon JA, Derogatis L, Portman D, et al. Flibanserin for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: An Open-Label Safety Study. J Sex Med 2018;15:387-395.

Simon|James A|JA|
Derogatis|Leonard|L|
Portman|David|D|
Brown|Louise|L|
Yuan|James|J|
Kissling|Robert|R|

Flibanserin
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Safety


Outcome of total knee arthroplasty in patients with poliomyelitis: A systematic review.

Abstract: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients affected by poliomyelitis is technically challenging owing to abnormal anatomical features including articular and metaphyseal angular deformities, external rotation of the tibia, excessive valgus alignment, bone loss, narrowness of the femoral and tibial canals, impaired quadriceps strength, flexion contractures, genu recurvatum and ligamentous laxity. Little information is available regarding the results and complications of TKA in this challenging group of patients.We carried out a systematic review of the literature to determine the functional outcome, complications and revision rates of TKA in patients with poliomyelitis-affected knees. Six studies including 82 knees met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The mean patient age was 63 years (45 to 85) and follow-up was 5.5 years (0.5 to 13).All studies reported significant improvement in knee function following TKA. There were six failures requiring revision surgery in 82 cases (7%) occurring at a mean of 6.2 years (0.4 to 12). The reasons for revision surgery were aseptic loosening (17%, n=1), infection (33%, n=2), periprosthetic fracture (17%, n=1) and instability (33%, n=2). Thirty-six knees had a degree of recurvatum pre-operatively (44%), which was in the range of 5° to 30°. Ten of these knees (28%) developed recurrent recurvatum post-operatively.The findings support the use of TKA in patients with poliomyelitis-affected knees. The post-operative functional outcome is similar to other patients; however, the revision rate is higher. Quadriceps muscle power appears to be an important prognostic factor for functional outcome and the use of constrained implant designs is recommended in the presence of less than antigravity quadriceps strength. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:358-362. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170028.

Prasad|Anoop|A|
Donovan|Richard|R|
Ramachandran|Manoj|M|
Dawson-Bowling|Sebastian|S|
Millington|Steven|S|
Bhumbra|Rej|R|
Achan|Pramod|P|
Hanna|Sammy A|SA|

total knee arthroplasty
poliomyelitis
quadriceps
functional outcome
hyperextension


Laparoscopic Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (taTME) for Rectal Cancer.

Abstract: Proper treatment of adenocarcinoma of the rectum demands a systematic, multidisciplinary approach where surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment. An evolving shift toward minimally invasive surgical approaches for rectal cancer continues to be hampered by the challenges of reliable pelvic exposure and adequate instrumentation for rectal dissection, distal rectal division, and low pelvic anastomosis. The laparoscopic transanal total mesorectal excision surgery has been developed as a novel alternative that provides solutions to many of the limitations of conventional open, laparoscopic and robotic proctectomy. This manuscript will describe the procedure in detail and attempt to define its role as the optimal surgical approach for rectal resection.

Total mesorectal excision
taTME
Rectal cancer
Laparoscopy
Sphincter sparing surgery
Transanal TME


Identification of causative pregnancy of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia diagnosed during pregnancy by short tandem repeat analysis.

Abstract: •Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia can arise during the first trimester originating from trophoblasts of concurrent pregnancy.•Intraplacental choriocarcinoma can be developed from trophoblasts of a previous pregnancy.

Yamamoto|Eiko|E| Niimi|Kaoru|K| Shinjo|Kanako|K| Yamamoto|Toshimichi|T| Fukunaga|Masaharu|M| Kikkawa|Fumitaka|F|

Pregnancy
Short tandem repeat
DNA analysis
Intra-placental choriocarcinoma
Placental site trophoblastic tumor


A prospective randomized comparative trial between open subinguinal and loupe assisted subinguinal varicocelectome: A single center experience.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
In our study, we reviewed efficacy and complication rates of open subinguinal varicocelectomy (OSV) and loupe assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy (LASV) using seminal and hormonal parameters in a prospective randomized study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
We prospectively studied 60 males with Grade 2 and Grade 3 varicocele. Thirty patients underwent OSV and the other 30 patients underwent LASV. Intra-operative and post-operative complications along with pre-operative and post-operative seminal, hormonal parameters and testicular volume were compared between the groups.

RESULTS
Sperm count, motility and morphology increased significantly in both groups, but the improvement was significantly better in LASV group. (Group A - improvement in sperm count, motility and morphology by 25%, 8.5%, 10.3%, respectively and in Group B - improvement in sperm count, motility and morphology by 110%, 68.59%, 71.1%, respectively. Decrease in serum follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and increase in serum testosterone were significant in both groups, but the improvement was significantly better in LASV group. (Group A - serum FSH and LH decreased by 17.2%, 23%, respectively and serum testosterone increased by 13.7% and in Group B - serum FSH and LH decreased by 56.9%, 56.65%, respectively and serum testosterone increased by 95.9%). The recurrence (OSV = 13.2% and LASV = 0, P = 0.01) and complication rates were significantly lower in LASV group.

CONCLUSION
Our study shows that LASV is significantly better than OSV regarding efficacy and complication rates.

Vyas|Hari Gopal|HG|
Bhandari|Vimal|V|
Kumar|Anup|A|
Nanda|Biswajit|B|
Singh|Harbinder|H|
Bhowmick|Subroto|S|

Loupe assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy


Polarimetric imaging of biological tissues based on the indices of polarimetric purity.

Abstract: We highlight the interest of using the indices of polarimetric purity (IPPs) to the inspection of biological tissues. The IPPs were recently proposed in the literature and they result in a further synthetization of the depolarizing properties of samples. Compared with standard polarimetric images of biological samples, IPP-based images lead to larger image contrast of some biological structures and to a further physical interpretation of the depolarizing mechanisms inherent to the samples. In addition, unlike other methods, their calculation do not require advanced algebraic operations (as is the case of polar decompositions), and they result in 3 indicators of easy implementation. We also propose a pseudo-colored encoding of the IPP information that leads to an improved visualization of samples. This last technique opens the possibility of tailored adjustment of tissues contrast by using customized pseudo-colored images. The potential of the IPP approach is experimentally highlighted along the manuscript by studying 3 different ex-vivo samples. A significant image contrast enhancement is obtained by using the IPP-based methods, compared to standard polarimetric images.

Van Eeckhout|Albert|A|
Lizana|Angel|A|
Garcia-Caurel|Enric|E|
Gil|José J|JJ|
Sansa|Adrià|A|
Rodríguez|Carla|C|
Estévez|Irene|I|
González|Emilio|E|
Escalera|Juan C|JC|
Moreno|Ignacio|I|
Campos|Juan|J|

imaging
biological tissue
depolarization
Mueller matrix
biomedical
polarimetry


Selection and Validation of Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-time PCR in Gentiana macrophylla.

Abstract: Real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR or qPCR) has been extensively applied for analyzing gene expression because of its accuracy, sensitivity, and high throughput. However, the unsuitable choice of reference gene(s) can lead to a misinterpretation of results. We evaluated the stability of 10 candidates - five traditional housekeeping genes (UBC21, GAPC2, EF-1α4, UBQ10, and UBC10) and five novel genes (SAND1, FBOX, PTB1, ARP, and Expressed1) - using the transcriptome data of Gentiana macrophylla. Common statistical algorithms ΔC t, GeNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper were run with samples collected from plants under various experimental conditions. For normalizing expression levels from tissues at different developmental stages, GAPC2 and UBC21 had the highest rankings. Both SAND1 and GAPC2 proved to be the optimal reference genes for roots from plants exposed to abiotic stresses while EF-1α4 and SAND1 were optimal when examining expression data from the leaves of stressed plants. Based on a comprehensive ranking of stability under different experimental conditions, we recommend that SAND1 and EF-1α4 are the most suitable overall. In this study, to find a suitable reference gene and its real-time PCR assay for G. macrophylla DNA content quantification, we evaluated three target genes including WRKY30, G10H, and SLS, through qualitative and absolute quantitative PCR with leaves under elicitors stressed experimental conditions. Arbitrary use of reference genes without previous evaluation can lead to a misinterpretation of the data. Our results will benefit future research on the expression of genes related to secoiridoid biosynthesis in this species under different experimental conditions.

He|Yihan|Y| Yan|Hailing|H| Hua|Wenping|W| Huang|Yaya|Y| Wang|Zhezhi|Z|

reference gene
Gentiana macrophylla
qPCR
gene expression
transcriptome
abiotic stress


Sevoflurane Postconditioning Reduces Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury in Cardiomyocytes via Upregulation of Heat Shock Protein 70.

Abstract: Sevoflurane postconditioning (SPostC) has been proved effective in cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. It was also reported that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) could be induced by sevoflurane, which played a crucial role in hypoxic/reoxygenation (HR) injury of cardiomyocytes. However, the mechanism by which sevoflurane protects cardiomyocytes via HSP70 is still not understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the related mechanisms of SPostC inducing HSP70 expression to reduce the HR injury of cardiomyocytes. After the HR cardiomyocytes model was established, the cells transfected with siRNA for HSP70 (siHSP70) or not were treated with sevoflurane during reoxygenation. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was detected by colorimetry while cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT and flow cytometry. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting were used to detect HSP70, apoptosis-, cell cycle-associated factors, iNOS, and Cox-2 expressions. Enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). SPostC decreased apoptosis, cell injury, oxidative stress and inflammation and increased viability of HR-induced cardiomyocytes. In addition, SPostC downregulated Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels, while SPostC upregulated Bcl-2, CDK-4, Cyclin D1, and HSP70 levels. SiHSP70 had the opposite effect that SPostC had on HR-induced cardiomyocytes. Moreover, siHSP70 further reversed the effect of SPostC on apoptosis, cell injury, oxidative stress, inflammation, viability and the expressions of HSP70, apoptosis-, and cell cycle-associated factors in HR-induced cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that SPostC can reduce the HR injury of cardiomyocytes by inducing HSP70 expression.

Sevoflurane
postconditioning
hypoxia/reoxygenation injury
cardiomyocytes
HSP70


Cost of Dual-Task Performance in Tactile Perception Is Greater for Competing Tasks of the Same Type.

Abstract: This study examines dual-task performance in the tactile modality and tests whether dual-task cost depends on task type. Experiment 1 involved competing tasks of the same type, using a primary localisation task on the left hand and a secondary localisation task on the right hand. In Experiment 2, the primary task on the left hand remained the same, while an intensity discrimination task was used as the secondary task on the right hand. Subjects in both experiments completed three conditions: the primary task alone, a dual-task condition, and the primary task with the secondary stimulus present but no response required. Across both experiments, performance on the primary task was best when it was presented alone, and there was a performance decrement when the secondary stimulus was present but not responded to. Performance on the primary task was further decreased when participants had to respond to the secondary stimulus, and the decrease was larger when the secondary task was localisation rather than discrimination. This result indicates that task type in the tactile modality may modulate the attentional cost of dual-task performance and implies partially shared resources underlie localisation and intensity discrimination.

tactile
attentional resources
dual tasks
object tasks
spatial tasks


Effects of ectoine on behavioral, physiological and biochemical parameters of Daphnia magna exposed to dimethyl sulfoxide.

Abstract: DMSO is a very common solvent for hydrophobic chemicals that may pose a threat to aquatic organisms. Ectoine (ECT) is a protective amino acid produced by various strains of halophilic bacteria with high potential to alleviate detrimental effects induced by environmental stressors. This amino acid is used in many cosmetics and pharmaceuticals may enter aquatic ecosystems interacting with ions and macromolecules. Little is known on the effects of DMSO and its interaction with ECT on behavioral, physiological and biochemical endpoints of aquatic invertebrates. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine protective effects of DMSO alone and in the combination with ECT on hopping frequency, swimming speed, heart rate, thoracic limb activity, catalase activity and NOx level in an animal model, Daphnia magna subjected to 0.1% and 1% DMSO alone and during combinatorial exposure to ECT (0-25 mg/L) and DMSO for 24 h and 48 h. The results showed that swimming speed, heart rate and thoracic limb activity were inhibited by both 0.1% and 1% DMSO alone however alleviating effects were observed in the combination DMSO + ECT. Thoracic limb activity was higher in the animals exposed to both solutions of DMSO alone, however the parameter was more stimulated at DMSO + ECT. The results suggest that DMSO alone may alter Daphnia behavior and physiological parameters, therefore use of the control group of non-treated animals with DMSO alone would be recommended to avoid data misinterpretation.

Ectoine
Daphnia magna
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Toxicity


Zonal differences in risk and pattern of pedicle screw perforations in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS): a computerized tomography (CT) review of 1986 screws.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
To evaluate the zonal differences in risk and pattern of pedicle screw perforations in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients.

METHODS
The scoliosis curves were divided into eight zones. CT scans were used to assess perforations: Grade 0, Grade 1(< 2 mm), Grade 2(2-4 mm) and Grade 3(> 4 mm). Anterior perforations were classified into Grade 0, Grade 1(< 4 mm), Grade 2(4-6 mm) and Grade 3(> 6 mm). Grade 2 and 3 (except lateral grade 2 and 3 perforation over thoracic vertebrae) were considered as 'critical perforations'.

RESULTS
1986 screws in 137 patients were analyzed. The overall perforation rate was 8.4% after exclusion of the lateral perforation. The highest medial perforation rate was at the transitional proximal thoracic (PT)/main thoracic (MT) zone (6.9%), followed by concave lumbar (6.7%) and convex main thoracic (MT) zone (6.1%). The overall critical medial perforation rate was 0.9%. 33.3% occurred at convex MT and 22.2% occurred at transitional PT/MT zone. There were 39 anterior perforations (overall perforation rate of 2.0%). 43.6% occurred at transitional PT/MT zone, whereas 23.1% occurred at concave PT zone. The overall critical anterior perforation rate was 0.6%. 5/12 (41.7%) critical perforations occurred at concave PT zone, whereas four perforations occurred at the transitional PT/MT zone. There were only two symptomatic left medial grade 2 perforations (0.1%) resulting radiculopathy, occurring at the transitional main thoracic (MT)/Lumbar (L) zone.

CONCLUSION
Overall pedicle perforation rate was 8.4%. Highest rate of critical medial perforation was at the convex MT zone and the transitional PT/MT zone, whereas highest rate of critical anterior perforation was at the concave PT zone and the transitional PT/MT zone. The rate of symptomatic perforations was 0.1%.

Pedicle screw
Perforation
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Computed tomography


Resistant dextrin improves high-fat-high-fructose diet induced insulin resistance.

Abstract:
Background
Insulin resistance is an important defect associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Many studies have been reported that dietary fiber exerts beneficial metabolic effects. Resistant dextrin is a soluble fiber. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of resistant dextrin on high-fat-high-fructose diet induced obese mice and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods
Seventeen 4-week-old male C57BL/6 J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HFHFD for 22 weeks, and were gavaged with resistant dextrin (5 g/kg) for 10 weeks. Glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed, serum fasting insulin (FINS) and serum biochemical parameters were determined, the contents of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in liver tissues were determined by enzymatic method. The pathological changes in liver were detected by HE staining. Real time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of insulin signaling pathway and the fatty acid β oxidation pathway related genes and proteins respectively. The gut microbiota were analyzed via 16 s rRNA sequencing.

Results
Resistant dextrin significantly decreased serum FINS, improved serum lipid profiles, reduced the contents of liver TG and TC. The insulin signaling pathway and the fatty acid β oxidation pathway were promoted. The abundance of metabolically beneficial bacteria such as Prevotella and Akkermansia in the intestinal flora of the resistant dextrin group were increased.

Conclusions
Resistant dextrin can significantly ameliorate liver insulin resistance, improve serum lipid levels, as well as reduce hepatic lipid deposition. The modulation of gut microbiota might be responsible for the beneficial effects of resistant dextrin.

Hu|Fan|F| Niu|Yixin|Y| Xu|Xiaoyuan|X| Hu|Qiuyue|Q| Su|Qing|Q| Zhang|Hongmei|H|

Resistant dextrin
Insulin resistance
Dietary fiber
Gut microbiota
Fatty acid beta oxidation


High-solid enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse and ethanol production in repeated batch process using column reactors.

Abstract:
Alkaline sulfite pretreated sugarcane bagasse was enzymatically hydrolyzed in a packed-bed column reactor and a bubble column reactor was evaluated to produce ethanol from the hydrolysate. Initial solid loadings of 9-16% were used in column reactor in the hydrolysis step, and the use of lower value (9%) resulted in 41 g L-1 of glucose in the hydrolysate, corresponding to 87% of cellulose hydrolysis yield. This yield was reduced to 65% for a solid loading of 16%, corresponding to a glucose concentration of 54 g L-1. Subsequently, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Scheffersomyces stipitis were used for ethanol production in medium based on hydrolysate previously obtained, using different aeration flowrates (0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 vvm). In simple batch fermentation using S. cerevisiae, higher ethanol yield (0.40 g.g-1) and productivity (1.58 g.L-1.h-1) were achieved using 0.5 vvm. When S. stipitis was used in simple batch co-fermentations, the maximum ethanol productivities were obtained using 0.5 and 0.7 vvm (0.64 and 0.63 g.L-1.h-1, respectively). Successive repeated batches resulted in average ethanol concentration of 38 g.L-1 and fermentation efficiency of 82%, when using S. cerevisiae. For S. stipitis, those values were, respectively, 36 g.L-1 and 50%, with volumetric productivity increased along the cycles. Thus, the potential of the bioreactors as simple systems for use in the biological steps of biorefineries was demonstrated.

Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02932-3.

Ramos|Lucas|L|0000-0001-6055-955X
Vasconcelos|Marcelo H|MH|
Milagres|Adriane M F|AMF|
Ferraz|André|A|
Dias|Marina O S|MOS|
Mendes|Fernanda M|FM|
Dos Santos|Júlio C|JC|

Enzymatic hydrolysis
Sugarcane bagasse
Column reactors
Repeated batch fermentations
Second-generation ethanol


Molecular characterization and expression profile of methionine sulfoxide reductase gene family in maize (Zea mays) under abiotic stresses.

Abstract: Methionine (Met) oxidation to methionine sulfoxide (MetSO) is a common form of damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation via various environmental stresses. Methionine sulfoxide reductase (MSR) repairs oxidized Met and protects organisms from oxidative damage. Two types of MSR, A and B, have been identified based on substrate stereo specificity; they share no sequence similarity. In the present study, we characterized six genes encoding the putative MSR from two public databases. We compared them with MSRs from 6 species, and evaluated molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis, tertiary structure and conserved motifs. On the basis of in silico and the qRT-PCR experimental data, we analyzed cDNA sequences and expression patterns of ZmMSR genes in different organs in maize. We found that ZmMSR genes were induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and NaCl, both known to generate oxidative stress. The results show that MSRs are conserved in different species, suggesting that MSRs across different species share common mechanisms related to diverse defense responses.

Zhu|Jiantang|J| Ding|Pengcheng|P| Li|Qingqing|Q| Gao|YanKun|Y| Chen|Fanguo|F| Xia|Guangmin|G|

D000595:Amino Acid Sequence
D051150:Methionine Sulfoxide Reductases
D008969:Molecular Sequence Data
D010802:Phylogeny
D010940:Plant Proteins
D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D013312:Stress, Physiological
D059467:Transcriptome
D003313:Zea mays

Methionine sulfoxide reductase gene family


The relationship between unfair treatment and tobacco use: A national longitudinal Chinese sample.

Abstract: The aim of present study is to contribute to the literature by examining the developmental relationship between unfair treatment and tobacco use in a national longitudinal Chinese sample. Linear mixed model was used to analyze data from a national longitudinal survey, which measured unfair treatment and tobacco use in 33,600 adults in 4 waves from 2010-2016. The results showed that unfair treatment positively predicted tobacco use and the prediction was consistent over time.Our findings imply that reducing unfair treatment may be an effective way to prevent tobacco use, which is one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality all over the world.

treatment
culture
smoking
social interaction
substance abuse


Protective effects of ginger and marshmallow extracts on indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in rats.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Gastric ulcer is one of the most serious diseases. Most classic treatment lines produce adverse drug reactions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of two natural extracts, namely ginger and marshmallow extracts, on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Animals were divided into five groups; a normal control group, an ulcer control group, and three treatment groups receiving famotidine (20 mg/kg), ginger (100 mg/kg), and marshmallow (100 mg/kg). Treatments were given orally on a daily basis for 14 days prior to a single intra-peritoneal administration of indomethacin (20 mg/kg).

RESULTS
Indomethacin administration resulted in significant ulcerogenic effect evidenced by significant elevations in ulcer number, ulcer index, and blood superoxide dismutase activity accompanied by significant decreases in gastric mucosal nitric oxide and glutathione levels. In addition, elevations in gastric mucosal lipid peroxides and histamine content were observed. Alternatively, pretreatment with famotidine, ginger or marshmallow significantly corrected macroscopic and biochemical findings, supported microscopically by results of histopathological study.

CONCLUSION
These results demonstrate that administration of either ginger or marshmallow extract could protect against indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in rats presumably via their antioxidant properties and inhibition of histamine release.

Zaghlool|Sameh S|SS|
Shehata|Basim A|BA|
Abo-Seif|Ali A|AA|
Abd El-Latif|Hekma A|HA|

ginger
marshmallow
peptic ulcer
Famotidine
indomethacin


Stopping-power ratio of mouthpiece materials for charged-particle therapy in head and neck cancer.

Abstract: In this study, the stopping-power ratios (SPRs) of mouthpiece materials were measured and the errors in the predicted SPRs based on conversion table values were further investigated. The SPRs of the five mouthpiece materials were predicted from their computed tomography (CT) numbers using a calibrated conversion table. Independently, the SPRs of the materials were measured from the Bragg peak shift of a carbon-ion beam passing through the materials. The errors in the SPRs of the materials were determined as the difference between the predicted and measured values. The measured SPRs (errors) of the Nipoflex 710™ and Bioplast™ ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVAs) were 0.997 (0.023) and 0.982 (0.007), respectively. The SPRs of the vinyl silicon impression material, light-curable resin, and bis-acrylic resin were 1.517 (0.134), 1.161 (0.068), and 1.26 (0.101), respectively. Among the five tested materials, the EVAs had the lowest SPR errors, indicating the highest human-tissue equivalency.

Bite block
Carbon-ion radiation therapy
Custom made mouthpiece
Intraoral stent
Particle therapy
Proton beam therapy