A comparison of a new zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage and anterior cervical plate for single and multilevel ACDF: a minimum 2-year follow-up study.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
To compare perioperative parameters, clinical outcomes, radiographic parameters, and complication rates of the new zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage with those of the stand-alone cages with a titanium plate for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the surgical treatment of single- and multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD).

METHODS
Between October 2009 and December 2013, 152 consecutive patients [86 males and 52 females; mean age 51.0 years (range 30-69 years)] with cervical DDD, who underwent surgery and were followed for more than 2 years, were enrolled in this study and divided into the cage group and plate group. The study compared perioperative parameters, surgery-related and implant-related complication rates, clinical outcomes, and radiologic parameters.

RESULTS
The clinical and radiologic results in both groups were satisfactory after a minimum 2-year follow-up. No significant differences between the cage group and plate group in terms of improvement in the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, visual analogue scale, Neck Disability Index, Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, disc height, mean fusion time, fusion rate, adjacent segment degeneration, and restoration of cervical lordosis, but the cage group was associated with a lower risk of postoperative dysphagia, shorter operation time, less blood loss, less cost of index surgery, and relatively greater simplicity than the plate group.

CONCLUSIONS
The zero-profile, stand-alone Fidji cervical cage for ACDF is an effective, reliable, and safe alternate to the conventional method for the treatment of cervical DDD. However, there is no definitive evidence that Fidji cervical cage has better intermediate-term outcomes than the stand-alone cages with a titanium plate for ACDF.

Li|Zhonghai|Z| Zhao|Yantao|Y| Tang|Jiaguang|J| Ren|Dongfeng|D| Guo|Jidong|J| Wang|Huadong|H| Li|Li|L| Hou|Shuxun|S|

Stand-alone zero-profile interbody fusion system


T-piece resuscitator versus self-inflating bag for preterm resuscitation: an institutional experience.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Manual ventilation in the delivery room is provided with devices such as self-inflating bags (SIBs), flow-inflating bags, and T-piece resuscitators.

OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of type of manual ventilation device on overall response to resuscitation among preterm neonates born at < 35 weeks gestation.

METHODS
Retrospective data were collected in 2 time periods. Primary outcome was overall response to resuscitation, as measured by Apgar score. Secondary outcomes were incidence of air leaks, need for chest compressions/epinephrine, need for intubation, and surfactant use.

RESULTS
We identified 294 resuscitations requiring ventilation. SIB was used for 135 neonates, and T-piece was used for 159 neonates. There was no significant difference between the 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores between SIB and T-piece (P = .77 and P = .11, respectively), nor were there significant differences in secondary outcomes. The rate of rise of Apgar score was higher, by 0.47, with T-piece, compared to SIB (95% CI 0.08-0.87, P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS
Although some manikin studies favor T-piece for providing reliable and consistent pressures, our experience did not indicate significant differences in effectiveness of resuscitation between the T-piece and SIB in preterm resuscitations.

Jayaram|Archana|A|
Sima|Adam|A|
Barker|Gail|G|
Thacker|Leroy R|LR|

T-piece
resuscitation
resuscitation
self-inflating bag
preterm
manual ventilation
flow-inflating bag
neonate
Apgar score
resuscitator


Iloprost in Acute Post-kidney Transplant Atheroembolism: A Case Report of Two Successful Treatments.

Abstract: Cholesterol embolization (CE) is a rare and alarming post-transplant complication, responsible for primary non-function (PNF) or delayed graft function (DGF). Its incidence is expected to rise due to increasingly old donors and recipients and the extended criteria for donation. Therapy with statins and steroids has not been shown to be effective, while agonism of prostaglandin I2 has been reported to be useful in systemic CE. We report two cases of acute post-transplant CE in which intravenous iloprost (0.05 mg/kg/day) was added to standard statin and steroid therapy. In the first instance, CE was due to embolization from the kidney artery resulting in embolization of the small vessels; after a long DGF and 15 days of iloprost therapy, renal function recovered. The second instance is a case of embolization from the iliac artery of the recipient, where CE manifested as a partial renal infarction. After 5 days of iloprost administration, creatinine levels improved. Iloprost acts on vasodilation and on different inflammatory pathways, improving the anti-inflammatory profile. Post-transplant CE is difficult to diagnose and, if not treated, can lead to loss of function. Iloprost added to standard therapy could be beneficial in accelerating renal function recovery immediately after transplant.

Corradetti|Valeria|V|
Comai|Giorgia|G|
Ravaioli|Matteo|M|
Cuna|Vania|V|
Aiello|Valeria|V|
Odaldi|Federica|F|
Angeletti|Andrea|A|
Capelli|Irene|I|
La Manna|Gaetano|G|

cholesterol embolism
delayed graft function
extended criteria donors
kidney transplant
prostaglandin agonism


A Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention Enhanced With Multiple-Behavior Self-Monitoring Using Mobile and Connected Tools for Underserved Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes and Comorbid Overweight or Obesity: Pilot Comparative Effectiveness Trial.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Self-monitoring is a cornerstone of behavioral lifestyle interventions for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mobile technology has the potential to improve adherence to self-monitoring and patient outcomes. However, no study has tested the use of a smartphone to facilitate self-monitoring in overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus living in the underserved community.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of and compare preliminary efficacy of a behavioral lifestyle intervention using smartphone- or paper-based self-monitoring of multiple behaviors on weight loss and glycemic control in a sample of overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus living in underserved communities.

METHODS
We conducted a randomized controlled trial to examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a behavioral lifestyle intervention. Overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited from an underserved minority community health center in Houston, Texas. They were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: (1) behavior intervention with smartphone-based self-monitoring, (2) behavior intervention with paper diary-based self-monitoring, and (3) usual care group. Both the mobile and paper groups received a total of 11 face-to-face group sessions in a 6-month intervention. The mobile group received an Android-based smartphone with 2 apps loaded to help them record their diet, physical activity, weight, and blood glucose, along with a connected glucometer, whereas the paper group used paper diaries for these recordings. Primary outcomes of the study included percentage weight loss and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) changes over 6 months.

RESULTS
A total of 26 patients were enrolled: 11 in the mobile group, 9 in the paper group, and 6 in the control group. We had 92% (24/26) retention rate at 6 months. The sample is predominantly African Americans with an average age of 56.4 years and body mass index of 38.1. Participants lost an average of 2.73% (mobile group) and 0.13% (paper group) weight at 6 months, whereas the control group had an average 0.49% weight gain. Their HbA1c changed from 8% to 7 % in mobile group, 10% to 9% in paper group, and maintained at 9% for the control group. We found a significant difference on HbA1c at 6 months among the 3 groups (P=.01). We did not find statistical group significance on percentage weight loss (P=.20) and HbA1c changes (P=.44) overtime; however, we found a large effect size of 0.40 for weight loss and a medium effect size of 0.28 for glycemic control.

CONCLUSIONS
Delivering a simplified behavioral lifestyle intervention using mobile health-based self-monitoring in an underserved community is feasible and acceptable and shows higher preliminary efficacy, as compared with paper-based self-monitoring. A full-scale randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm the findings in this pilot study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02858648; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02858648 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6ySidjmT7).

lifestyle
self-monitoring
diabetes
obesity
comparative effectiveness trial
behavior change
connected health
mobile health
patient engagement
patient-generated health data


Correlation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy at a specific radiation dose with the prognosis of nasal mucous damage after radiotherapy.

Abstract: Objective of the present study was to investigate the tolerant radiation dose of nasal mucosa by observing and analyzing patients who received intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (N = 66) were selected for this study. The modified saccharin assay, endoscopy test, magnetic resonance imaging, and sino-nasal outcome test-20 (SNOT-20) survey were performed for the patients before and at 0 (T0), 3 (T1), 6 (T2), and 12 (T3) months after radiotherapy. The threshold doses of IMRT before radiotherapy and at T0, T1, T2, and T3 were determined as, respectively, 37 Gy, 37 Gy, 39 Gy, and 37 Gy for the saccharin test; 38 Gy, 37 Gy, 40 Gy, and 38 Gy for the endoscopy test; and 39 Gy, 37 Gy, 39 Gy, and 39 Gy for the nasal-related symptom scoring test. The modified saccharin assay, endoscopy test, and SNOT-20 survey revealed that a low dose (< threshold dose) of IMRT was associated with higher mucocilia transport rate (MRT), better endoscopy test score, and improved SNOT-20 score. The patients who received IMRT at a dose less than the threshold had the least damaged nasal mucosa morphology, and functional impairment scores were highest at T1 of IMRT. We conclude that nasal mucosa showed the most serious damage within 3 months after IMRT. If the radiation dose can be controlled within the threshold, the nasal mucosa can recover in the following few months, but recovery will be difficult otherwise.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
Radiation therapy
Radiation dose
Nasal mucosa


Neural signatures of temporal regularity processing in sounds differ between younger and older adults.

Abstract: Sensitivity to temporal regularity (e.g., recurring modulation in amplitude) is crucial for speech perception. Degradation of the auditory periphery due to aging and hearing loss may lead to increased responsiveness to sound in the auditory cortex, with potential consequences for the processing of temporal regularities. We used electroencephalography recorded from younger (19-33 years) and older adults (55-76 years) to investigate whether younger and older listeners differ in responsiveness to sound and sensitivity to amplitude modulation in sounds. Aging was associated with reduced adaptation in the auditory cortex, suggesting an age-related increase in responsiveness. Furthermore, neural synchronization in the auditory cortex to 4-Hz amplitude-modulated narrow-band noises was enhanced in ∼30% of older individuals. Despite enhanced responsiveness and synchronization in the auditory cortex, sustained neural activity (likely involving auditory and higher-order regions) in response to amplitude modulation was absent in older people. Aging appears to be associated with over-responsiveness to amplitude modulation in the auditory cortex, but with diminished regularity sensitivity in higher-order areas.

Herrmann|Björn|B|
Buckland|Chad|C|
Johnsrude|Ingrid S|IS|

Aging
Amplitude modulation
Neural synchronization
Neural adaptation
Sustained activity


A price to pay: Turkish and Northern American retaliation for threats to personal and family honor.

Abstract: Two studies investigated retaliatory responses to actual honor threats among members of an honor culture (Turkey) and a dignity culture (northern United States). The honor threat in these studies was based on previous research which has shown that honesty is a key element of the conception of honor and that accusations of dishonesty are threatening to one's honor. In both studies, participants wrote an essay describing the role of honesty in their lives and received feedback on their essay accusing them of being dishonest (vs. neutral feedback). Turkish participants retaliated more strongly than did northern U.S. participants against the person who challenged their honesty by assigning him/her to solve more difficult tangrams over easy ones (Study 1) and by choosing sensory tasks of a higher level of intensity to complete (Study 2). Study 2 added a relational honor condition, in which participants wrote about honesty in their parents' lives and examined the role of individual differences in honor values in retaliation. Endorsement of honor values significantly predicted retaliation among Turkish participants in the relational honor attack condition, but not among northern U.S. participants.

Uskul|Ayse K|AK|
Cross|Susan E|SE|
Günsoy|Ceren|C|
Gerçek-Swing|Berna|B|
Alözkan|Cansu|C|
Ataca|Bilge|B|

honor
Turkey
Northern United States
endorsement of honor values
aggression


Deep Learning Based Real-time Speech Enhancement for Dual-microphone Mobile Phones.

Abstract: In mobile speech communication, speech signals can be severely corrupted by background noise when the far-end talker is in a noisy acoustic environment. To suppress background noise, speech enhancement systems are typically integrated into mobile phones, in which one or more microphones are deployed. In this study, we propose a novel deep learning based approach to real-time speech enhancement for dual-microphone mobile phones. The proposed approach employs a new densely-connected convolutional recurrent network to perform dual-channel complex spectral mapping. We utilize a structured pruning technique to compress the model without significantly degrading the enhancement performance, which yields a low-latency and memory-efficient enhancement system for real-time processing. Experimental results suggest that the proposed approach consistently outperforms an earlier approach to dual-channel speech enhancement for mobile phone communication, as well as a deep learning based beamformer.


Simultaneous determination of gefitinib and its major metabolites in mouse plasma by HPLC-MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetics study.

Abstract: Gefitinib (Iressa) is the first oral EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor and it brings benefits to non-small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR mutation. In this study, a simple, rapid and credible high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for the simultaneous quantification of gefitinib and its main metabolites M523595, M537194, M387783 and M608236 in NSCLC tumor-bearing mouse plasma. Sample extraction was done by protein precipitation using acetonitrile containing dasatinib as the internal standard. The chromatography run time was 6min using an Agilent RRHD SB-C18 column with a gradient of acetonitrile and water (0.1% formic acid, v/v). The mass analysis was performed by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode. The calibration range was 0.5-100ng/mL for M608236 and 1-200ng/mL for other analytes with the correlation coefficients (r(2))≥0.99. For quality control samples, inter- and intra-assay precision was less than 15% and accuracies ranged from 92.6% to 107.58% for all analytes. The extraction recoveries were in the range of 86-105% and no significant matrix effect was observed. This simple and reproducible high-throughput method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of gefitinib and its major metabolites in mouse.

Zheng|Nan|N| Zhao|Can|C| He|Xi-Ran|XR| Jiang|Shan-Tong|ST| Han|Shu-Yan|SY| Xu|Guo-Bing|GB| Li|Ping-Ping|PP|

D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid

Gefitinib
Metabolites
Mouse plasma
Pharmacokinetics
LC–MS/MS


Leaching of hazardous substances from a composite construction product--an experimental and modelling approach for fibre-cement sheets.

Abstract: The leaching behaviour of a commercial fibre-cement sheet (FCS) product has been investigated. A static pH dependency test and a dynamic surface leaching test have been performed at lab scale. These tests allowed the development of a chemical-transport model capable to predict the release of major and trace elements over the entire pH range, in function of time. FCS exhibits a cement-type leaching behaviour with respect to the mineral species. Potentially hazardous species are released in significant quantities when compared to their total content. These are mainly heavy metals commonly encountered in cement matrixes and boron (probably added as biocide). Organic compounds considered as global dissolved carbon are released in significant concentrations, originating probably from the partial degradation of the organic fibres. The pesticide terbutryn (probably added during the preservative treatment of the organic fibres) was systematically identified in the leachates. The simulation of an upscaled runoff scenario allowed the evaluation of the cumulative release over long periods and the distribution of the released quantities in time, in function of the local exposure conditions. After 10 years of exposure the release reaches significant fractions of the species' total content - going from 4% for Cu to near 100% for B.

D003252:Construction Materials
D015386:Hazardous Substances
D008956:Models, Chemical

Fibre-cement sheets
Leaching tests
Chemical-transport model
Environmental assessment
Long-term leaching


Mercury and selenium interactions in human blood in the Wanshan mercury mining area, China.

Abstract: Human blood mercury (Hg), selenium (Se) and other trace element levels were investigated in the Wanshan mercury mining area. Residents living near the mine waste heaps had significantly elevated blood Hg, Se and arsenic (As) levels, which indicates the impact from Hg mining and smelting activities. Rice samples showed high Se levels, as 72.6% of total Se intake comes from rice consumption. The means of the Se:total Hg (THg) and Se:methyl Hg (MeHg) molar ratios were 60.7±27.1 and 110±53.6 respectively. Blood Se:Hg molar ratios were negatively correlated with blood Hg levels. 80.2% of the study population had blood THg levels that exceeded the 5.8μg/L regulation level set by the USEPA, which indicated the risk of Hg exposure. On the other hand, the blood Se levels were within a safe-level range, and dietary Se intake protected local residents who suffered from Hg exposure.

Mercury
Selenium
Interaction
Blood
Exposure route
Risk assessment


The Journey of Lipoproteins Through the Cell: One Birthplace, Multiple Destinations.

Abstract: Bacterial lipoproteins are a very diverse group of proteins characterized by the presence of an N-terminal lipid moiety that serves as a membrane anchor. Lipoproteins have a wide variety of crucial functions, ranging from envelope biogenesis to stress response. In Gram-negative bacteria, lipoproteins can be targeted to various destinations in the cell, including the periplasmic side of the cytoplasmic or outer membrane, the cell surface or the external milieu. The sorting mechanisms have been studied in detail in Escherichia coli, but exceptions to the rules established in this model bacterium exist in other bacteria. In this chapter, we will present the current knowledge on lipoprotein sorting in the cell. Our particular focus will be on the surface-exposed lipoproteins that appear to be much more common than previously assumed. We will discuss the different targeting strategies, provide numerous examples of surface-exposed lipoproteins and discuss the techniques used to assess their surface exposure.

D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins

Gram-negative bacteria
Lipoprotein sorting
Surface-exposed lipoproteins
BamA
Lipoprotein biogenesis
Lol system
LolA
RcsF


Core-Multishell-Structured Digital-Gradient Cathode Materials with Enhanced Mechanical and Electrochemical Durability.

Abstract: Ni-rich cathode materials provide high energy density, but their structural and surface instability limits their cyclability and thermal stability. As one of the approaches to mitigate this problem, cathode materials comprising Ni-rich high-capacity core wrapped in Mn-rich multiple shells are produced successfully. In contrast to the conventional batch-type process for concentration-gradient materials, a digital-gradient cascade coprecipitation process described here achieves the improvements in productivity and quality consistency needed to move toward large-scale manufacturing. The core-multishell cathode materials produced in this manner not only have longer cycle life and improved rate performance compared to homogeneous Ni-rich cathode materials having the same overall composition, but also show remarkably enhanced thermal stability and low impedance growth characteristics. In a novel attempt to determine the correlation between the mechanical properties of the core-multishell cathode particles and their electrochemical cyclabilities, their breaking force and elasticity were successfully measured using a statistical approach, which indicates that a cathode particle with stable surface composition as well as high breaking force has improved capacity retention and durability. These results guide the realization of long life and high thermal stability in Ni-rich cathode materials through heterogeneous particle engineering.

Ni-rich cathode
cascade
core-multishell
gradient
lithium-ion batteries


A contemporary clinical approach to genetic testing for heritable hyperparathyroidism syndromes.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
The improved access and affordability of next generation sequencing has facilitated the clinical use of gene panel testing to test concurrently patients for multiple heritable hyperparathyroidism syndromes. However, there is little guidance as to which patients should be selected for gene panel testing and which genes should be included in such panels. In this review, we provide a practical approach to considering, interpreting and managing genetic testing for familial primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) syndromes and familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH) in patients with PTH-dependent hypercalcaemia. We discuss known genes implicated in PHPT and FHH, testing criteria and yields, pre-test counselling, laboratory considerations, and post-test management.

METHODS
In addition to reviewing the literature, we conducted audits of local genetic testing data to examine the real-world yield of genetic testing in patients with PTH-dependent hypercalcaemia.

RESULTS
Our local audits revealed a positive genetic testing rate of 15-26% in patients with suspected hyperparathyroidism syndromes.

CONCLUSION
Based on the particular testing criteria met, affected patients should be tested for variants in the genes currently implicated in PHPT (MEN1, CDC73, RET, CDKN1B, GCM2, CASR) and/or FHH (CASR, GNA11, AP2S1). Patients should be provided with pre- and post-test counselling, including consideration of potential implications for family members.

De Sousa|Sunita M C|SMC|http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0127-6482

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH)


Inhibition of Cyclosporine A or rapamycin on T lymphocyte counts and the influence on the immune responses of B lymphocytes in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

Abstract: In acquired immunity, T lymphocytes regulate the immune responses of B lymphocytes, including the IgM+ B lymphocyte counts and antibody production. In this paper, Cyclosporine A (CsA) and Rapamycin (RaPa) were used, and their inhibition on T lymphocytes and immune responses of B lymphocytes in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were investigated. Flounder was injected with Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH), a mixture of KLH and CsA (KLH + CsA), or a mixture of KLH and RaPa (KLH + RaPa). Then, the proportions of T and IgM+ B lymphocytes (PT and PB) in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were analysed by flow cytometry (FCM), total antibodies (TA) and KLH specific antibodies (KA) in serum were measured by ELISA, and expression of 9 immune-related genes in the spleen and kidneys were determined using q-PCR. On the other hand, the PBL culture was treated with Concanavalin A (ConA), a mixture of ConA and CsA, and a mixture of ConA and RaPa. Then the PT and PB were measured, and the cell proliferation was examined using the MTT method. The results showed that the PT peaked on the 5th day in the KLH group, KLH + CsA group and KLH + RaPa group. The maximum inhibition rates (MIR) of CsA and RaPa were 27.44% ± 0.50% and 21.37% ± 2.06%, respectively. The PB peaked at the 5th week, and the MIR of CsA and RaPa were 44.51% ± 1.36% and 33.3% ± 0.65%, respectively. The KA and TA peaked at the 5th week. The MIR of CsA and RaPa on TA were 40.31% ± 1.59% and 32.96% ± 2.21%, respectively, and were 27.77% ± 2.02% and 23.41% ± 1.08% for KA, respectively. Nine immune-related genes had significantly lower expression in the KLH + CsA group and KLH + RaPa group compared to the KLH group. The proliferation of the PBL culture was inhibited by CsA or RaPa, and the inhibition rate of CsA and RaPa for PT was 18.14% ± 1.08% and 17.88% ± 1.02%, respectively, and the inhibition rates for PB were 3.03% ± 0.57% and 2.95% ± 0.53%, respectively. The results demonstrated that T lymphocytes counts were inhibited by CsA and RaPa, followed by suppression of IgM+ B lymphocytes and antibody production, which suggests that T lymphocytes regulate the immune response of B lymphocytes in flounder.

Xing|Jing|J| Xiao|Yue'e|Y| Tang|Xiaoqian|X| Sheng|Xiuzhen|X| Zhan|Wenbin|W|

Cyclosporine A
Rapamycin
T lymphocytes counts
Paralichthys olivaceus
B lymphocytes counts
Antibodies level


The Antioxidant Potential of White Wines Relies on the Chemistry of Sulfur-Containing Compounds: An Optimized DPPH Assay.

Abstract: The DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay is an easy and efficient method commonly used to determine the antioxidant capacity of many food matrices and beverages. In contrast with red wines, white wines are poorer in antioxidant polyphenolics, and the more hydrophilic sulfur-containing compounds in them may contribute significantly to their antioxidant capacity. The modification of the classical DPPH method, with a methanol-buffer and the measure of EC20 (quantity of sample needed to decrease the initial DPPH concentration by 20%) has shown that sulfur-containing compounds such as cysteine (0.037 ± 0.003), glutathione (0.054 ± 0.003) or methanethiol (0.104 ± 0.003) appeared to bear antioxidant capacity comparable to well known phenolic compounds, such as catechin (0.035 ± 0.003), caffeic acid (0.057 ± 0.003) and ferulic acid (0.108 ± 0.003), respectively. In the case of white wines, the comparison with REDOX-sensory scores showed that results from this modified DPPH assay are strongly correlated with sensory attributes (r = 0.73, p < 0.1). These results provide an unprecedented illustration of the important contribution of these sulfur-containing compounds to the radical quenching ability of white wines.

white wine
DPPH
antioxidant capacity
EC20
Chardonnay
sensory oxidation level
sulfur compounds


Failure Rates After Revision Arthroscopic Stabilization for Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability Based on Anterior Capsulolabral Complex Conditions.

Abstract:
Background
A labral retear is an important contributing factor to surgical failure after arthroscopic soft tissue stabilization for recurrent anterior shoulder instability. However, surgeons frequently encounter poor tissue conditions in the anterior capsule, such as capsular tears, during revision surgery.

Purpose
To analyze the clinical outcomes and failure rates of revision arthroscopic stabilization after failed Bankart repair based on the tissue conditions of the anterior capsule and the labrum. Outcomes were compared for revision after failed Bankart repair because of a labral retear versus a healed labrum but with capsular tears.

Study Design
Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods
A total of 55 patients who underwent revision arthroscopic stabilization after failed Bankart repair were included. Revision surgery was indicated if patients had a history of recurrent instability with positive apprehension test results, regardless of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a labral retear. Patients were allocated into 2 groups based on arthroscopic findings at the time of revision surgery: group 1 consisted of patients who had a healed labrum with definite anterior capsular tears, and group 2 comprised patients who had labral retears without capsular tears. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Rowe score, and surgical failure rate.

Results
Overall, 10 patients were included in group 1, and 45 patients were included in group 2. No capsular tears were detected on preoperative MRI or magnetic resonance arthrography scans in either group, whereas all patients in group 2 had evidence of anterior labral retears on imaging scans. After revision surgery, 9 patients (16.4%) showed surgical failure by 25.6 months postoperatively. Patients in group 1 had a significantly higher surgical failure rate than did those in group 2 (4 patients [40.0%] vs 5 patients [11.1%], respectively; P = .04). The incidence of capsular tears was significantly higher in patients with surgical failure versus those without surgical failure (44.4% vs 13.0%, respectively; P = .04).

Conclusion
A capsular tear of the anterior capsulolabral complex was an important indicator for surgical failure after revision arthroscopic stabilization. If patients demonstrate symptomatic instability after arthroscopic soft tissue stabilization without evidence of labral retears on imaging scans, an anterior capsular tear should be considered as a possible factor for recurrence.

Park|In|I| Lee|Jae-Hyung|JH| Park|Jin-Young|JY| Shin|Sang-Jin|SJ|

failure rate
revision
shoulder
capsule
recurrent instability
arthroscopic surgery


Dengue fever outbreak in Cook Island: A rising concern, efforts, challenges, and future recommendations.

Abstract: The Cook Island government has made several efforts to ensure zero confirmed cases and transmission of COVID-19, especially among visiting travelers. However, the Cook Island ministry of health has to deal with the new strain of dengue fever outbreak, known as dengue fever type 2 (DEN-2), by adopting several measures to control its spread, especially in the affected parts of the subtropical country. This paper aims to describe the dengue fever response taken in Cook Island and suggest recommendations to control the risk of transmission in endemic parts of the world.

dengue fever
outbreak
Cook Island
COVID-19
travelers
DEN-2
endemic


Retrospective cohort analysis of heart rate variability in patients with high altitude pulmonary hypertension in Tibet.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Studies from both humans and animals experiments have offered abundant evidence supporting that mountain sickness is associated with changes in autonomic nervous function (ANF), which can be measured by heart rate variability (HRV).

HYPOTHESIS
We aimed to assess changes of ANF in chronic mountain disease by measuring HRV in patients with high altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH).

METHODS
From November 2018 to March 2019, 120 patients in the cardiac care unit of the People's Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region were selected as the observation group, and 50 patients without organic heart disease served as the control group. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure was evaluated by echocardiography in patients with HAPH, divided into three groups: mild (30-49 mm Hg), moderate (50-69 mm Hg) and severity (≥70 mm Hg) groups. A 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram (DCG) was obtained for each patient. HRV (SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, PNN50, and HRVTI for time domain; TP, VLF, LF, HF, and LF/HF for frequency domain) indexes were measured and compared.

RESULTS
Compared with the control group, time domain parameters including SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, PNN50, and HRVTI were reduced, as well as frequency domain indexes such as TP, VLF, LF, and HF. LF/HF was highest in mild HAPH group and lowest in the moderate HAPH group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS
The HRV of patients with chronic HAPH in high altitude areas in Tibet is significantly reduced relative to healthy controls, and significantly negatively correlated with the severity of pulmonary artery hypertension.

heart rate variability
high altitude
high altitude pulmonary hypertension
autonomic nervous system


Effect of rearing conditions on the correlation between larval development time and pupal weight of the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis.

Abstract: A strong positive correlation between development time and body size is commonly assumed. However, the evidence is increasing that the correlation between the two traits can be positive, zero or negative, depending on whether the two traits are under antagonistic or synergistic selection. In the present study, we examined the relation between larval development time and pupal weight of the rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis under laboratory and field conditions. For individuals reared at constant temperatures (22, 25, 28 and 31°C), a longer larval period tended to result in larger pupae, showing a positive correlation between larval development time and pupal weight; whereas for those reared under field conditions, a longer larval period tended to result in smaller pupae at 23.5 and 29.8°C, showing a negative correlation between the two traits. There was no correlation between the two traits at the mean daily temperature of 31°C. At constant temperatures, larval development time shortened significantly as rearing temperature increased, whereas pupae tended to become larger at higher temperatures, although no significant difference was detected among temperatures for pupal weight. Under field conditions, larval development time decreased significantly as the mean daily temperature increased, whereas pupal weight of females increased significantly with the increase in the mean daily temperature, which is an example of the reverse temperature-size rule. Feeding method significantly affected larval development time and pupal weight. For individuals fed on live rice plants, larval development time shortened significantly and pupal weight increased significantly compared with those reared on fresh rice stems.

Huang|Xiao-Long|XL| Xiao|Lan|L| He|Hai-Min|HM| Xue|Fang-Sen|FS|0000-0002-7609-7414

larval development time
pupal weight
Chilo suppressalis
temperature
feeding method


Diversity of LFPs Activated in Different Target Regions by a Common CA3 Input.

Abstract: Identifying the pathways contributing to local field potential (LFP) events and oscillations is essential to determine whether synchronous interregional patterns indicate functional connectivity. Here, we studied experimentally and numerically how different target structures receiving input from a common population shape their LFPs. We focused on the bilateral CA3 that sends gamma-paced excitatory packages to the bilateral CA1, the lateral septum, and itself (recurrent input). The CA3-specific contribution was isolated from multisite LFPs in target regions using spatial discrimination techniques. We found strong modulation of LFPs by target-specific features, including the morphology and population arrangement of cells, the timing of CA3 inputs, volume conduction from nearby targets, and co-activated inhibition. Jointly they greatly affect the LFP amplitude, profile, and frequency characteristics. For instance, ipsilateral (Schaffer) LFPs occluded contralateral ones, and septal LFPs arise mostly from remote sources while local contribution from CA3 input was minor. In the CA3 itself, gamma waves have dual origin from local networks: in-phase excitatory and nearly antiphase inhibitory. Also, waves may have different duration and varying phase in different targets. These results indicate that to explore the cellular basis of LFPs and the functional connectivity between structures, besides identifying the origin population/s, target modifiers should be considered.

Martín-Vázquez|Gonzalo|G|
Benito|Nuria|N|
Makarov|Valeri A|VA|
Herreras|Oscar|O|
Makarova|Julia|J|

D061567:Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers

CA3
local field potentials
LFP biophysics
gamma oscillations
neuron models


armDNA: A functional beta model for detecting age-related genomewide DNA methylation marks.

Abstract: DNA methylation has been shown to play an important role in many complex diseases. The rapid development of high-throughput DNA methylation scan technologies provides great opportunities for genomewide DNA methylation-disease association studies. As methylation is a dynamic process involving time, it is quite plausible that age contributes to its variation to a large extent. Therefore, in analyzing genomewide DNA methylation data, it is important to identify age-related DNA methylation marks and delineate their functional relationship. This helps us to better understand the underlying biological mechanism and facilitate early diagnosis and prognosis analysis of complex diseases. We develop a functional beta model for analyzing DNA methylation data and detecting age-related DNA methylation marks on the whole genome by naturally taking sampling scheme into account and accommodating flexible age-methylation dynamics. We focus on DNA methylation data obtained through the widely used bisulfite conversion technique and propose to use a beta model to relate the DNA methylation level to the age. Adjusting for certain confounders, the functional age effect is left completely unspecified, offering great flexibility and allowing extra data dynamics. An efficient algorithm is developed for estimating unknown parameters, and the Wald test is used to detect age-related DNA methylation marks. Simulation studies and several real data applications were provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.

Wang|Chenyang|C| Shen|Qi|Q| Du|Li|L| Xu|Jinfeng|J| Zhang|Hong|H|

Age-related DNA methylation
bisulfite conversion
beta regression
microarray
nonparametric transformation


Temporal and Fine-Grained Pedestrian Action Recognition on Driving Recorder Database.

Abstract: The paper presents an emerging issue of fine-grained pedestrian action recognition that induces an advanced pre-crush safety to estimate a pedestrian intention in advance. The fine-grained pedestrian actions include visually slight differences (e.g., walking straight and crossing), which are difficult to distinguish from each other. It is believed that the fine-grained action recognition induces a pedestrian intention estimation for a helpful advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The following difficulties have been studied to achieve a fine-grained and accurate pedestrian action recognition: (i) In order to analyze the fine-grained motion of a pedestrian appearance in the vehicle-mounted drive recorder, a method to describe subtle change of motion characteristics occurring in a short time is necessary; (ii) even when the background moves greatly due to the driving of the vehicle, it is necessary to detect changes in subtle motion of the pedestrian; (iii) the collection of large-scale fine-grained actions is very difficult, and therefore a relatively small database should be focused. We find out how to learn an effective recognition model with only a small-scale database. Here, we have thoroughly evaluated several types of configurations to explore an effective approach in fine-grained pedestrian action recognition without a large-scale database. Moreover, two different datasets have been collected in order to raise the issue. Finally, our proposal attained 91.01% on National Traffic Science and Environment Laboratory database (NTSEL) and 53.23% on the near-miss driving recorder database (NDRDB). The paper has improved +8.28% and +6.53% from baseline two-stream fusion convnets.

Kataoka|Hirokatsu|H|0000-0001-8844-165X Satoh|Yutaka|Y| Aoki|Yoshimitsu|Y| Oikawa|Shoko|S| Matsui|Yasuhiro|Y|


Structure-Activity Relationships for the Affinity of Chaotropic Polyoxometalate Anions towards Proteins.

Abstract: The influence of the composition of chaotropic polyoxometalate (POM) anions on their affinity to biological systems was studied by means of atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The variations in the affinity to hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) were analyzed along two series of POMs whereby the charge or the size and shape of the metal cluster are modified systematically. Our simulations revealed a quadratic relationship between the charge of the POM and its affinity to HEWL as a consequence of the parabolic growth of POM⋅⋅⋅water interaction with the charge. As the charge increases, POMs become less chaotropic (more kosmotropic) increasing the number and the strength of POM-water hydrogen bonds and structuring the solvation shell around the POM. This atomistic description explains the proportionally larger desolvation energies and less protein affinity for highly charged POMs, and consequently, the preference for moderate charge densities (q/M=0.33). Also, our simulations suggest that POM⋅⋅⋅protein interactions are size-specific. The cationic pockets of HEWL protein show a preference for Keggin-like structures, which display the optimal dimensions (≈1 nm). Finally, we developed a quantitative multidimensional model for protein affinity with predictive ability (r2 =0.97; q2 =0.88) using two molecular descriptors that account for the charge density (charge per metal atom ratio; q/M) and the size and shape (shape weighted-volume; VS ).

structure-activity relationships
polyoxometalates
molecular dynamics
chaotropic anions
protein interactions


Medical consumerism in the UK, from 'citizen's challenge' to the 'managed consumer'-A symbol without meaning?

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
In Britain's National Health Service (NHS), medical consumerism is disliked by many doctors but managed by NHS leaders. Managed consumers have choices about treatment options, but are expected to help contain costs, improve quality of care, take part in clinical research and advocacy, and increase productivity. There are so many meanings for medical consumerism that it can be categorized, in post-structuralist terms, as a 'symbol without meaning', but meanings are plentiful in the NHS.

POLICY EXPECTATIONS
Choices made by discriminating consumers were expected to improve the quality of medical care for all. Extending choice to the many, and not restricting options to the few, would allow gains from choices to accumulate, so that choice would sustain social solidarity. Managed consumerism would in theory, therefore, instil reasonable choices and responsible behaviours in a moralized citizenry, across the nation. The advocates of New Labour's espousal of medical consumerism expected the accumulative effects of customer choices to challenge professional and occupational power, erode the medical model of health and illness, constrain professional judgements, and open the NHS to new ways of working. Almost all their expectations have been thwarted, so far.

CONCLUSIONS
Managed consumerism is far from being a meaningless symbol. This discussion paper explores the territory of managed consumerism and suggests realistic ways to make it more effective in shaping the NHS.

PATIENT & PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
We developed the arguments in this discussion paper with insights provided by a lay expert (see Acknowledgements) with experience of consumerism in both public sector management and a disease-related charity.

D006801:Humans
D013222:State Medicine
D006113:United Kingdom

consumerism: national health service
patient involvement
professional authority: quality of care


Role of hypothalamic cannabinoid receptors in post-stroke depression in rats.

Abstract: One of the most common psychological consequences of stroke is post-stroke depression (PSD). While more than 30 percent of stroke patients eventually develop PSD, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying such a phenomenon have not been well investigated. Given the critical involvement of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and endocannabinoid system in response to stressful stimuli, we evaluated the hypothesis that cannabinoid receptors in the hypothalamus are critical for modulation of post-stroke depression-like behaviors in rats. To this end, rats were treated with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) treatment procedure. We then assessed the expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors in the hypothalamus, and evaluated the effects of pharmacological stimulations of CB1 or CB2 receptors on the expression and development of depression-like behaviors in PSD rats. We found that PSD rats exhibited decreased the expression of CB1 receptor, but not CB2 receptor, in the ventral medial hypothalamus (VMH). Such an effect was not observed in the dorsally adjacent brain regions. Furthermore, intra-VMH injections of CB2 receptor agonist, but not CB1 receptor agonist, attenuated the expression of depression-like behaviors in PSD rats. Finally, repeated intraperitoneal injections of CB1 or CB2 receptor agonists during CUMS treatment inhibited the development of depression-like behaviors in PSD rats. Taken together, these results suggest that decreased CB1 receptor expression is likely associated with the development of post-stroke depression, and CB2 receptor may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment post-stroke depressive disorders.

Wang|Shanshan|S| Sun|Hong|H| Liu|Sainan|S| Wang|Ting|T| Guan|Jinqun|J| Jia|Jianjun|J|

D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery

Cannabinoid receptor
Post-stroke depression
Hypothalamus
Middle cerebral artery occlusion
Chronic unpredictable mild stress


Retrocaval ureter: two case reports.

Abstract: Retrocaval ureter also referred to as pre-ureteral vena cava is a rare congenital anomaly with the ureter passing posterior to the inferior vena cava. Though it is a congenital anomaly, patients do not normally present with symptoms until the 3rd and 4th decades of life from a resulting hydronephrosis. We present the first two cases to be reported in Ghana; a 36-year-old male and a 40-year-old female both with right flank pains and associated right hydronephrosis. Diagnoses were confirmed with retrograde ureteropyelogram and both had an open surgical repair of the anomaly.

Kyei|M Y|MY|
Yeboah|E D|ED|
Klufio|G O|GO|
Mensah|J E|JE|
Gepi-Atee|S|S|
Zakpaa|L|L|
Morton|B|B|
Adusei|B|B|

Retrocaval ureter
hydronephrosis
flank pain
retrograde ureteropyelogram
pyeloureteric anastomosis


Orthonectids Are Highly Degenerate Annelid Worms.

Abstract: The animal groups of Orthonectida and Dicyemida are tiny, extremely simple, vermiform endoparasites of various marine animals and have been linked in the Mesozoa (Figure 1). The Orthonectida (Figures 1A and 1B) have a few hundred cells, including a nervous system of just ten cells [2], and the Dicyemida (Figure 1C) are even simpler, with ∼40 cells [3]. They are classic "Problematica" [4]-the name Mesozoa suggests an evolutionary position intermediate between Protozoa and Metazoa (animals) [5] and implies that their simplicity is a primitive state, but molecular data have shown they are members of Lophotrochozoa within Bilateria [6-9], which means that they derive from a more complex ancestor. Their precise affinities remain uncertain, however, and it is disputed whether they even constitute a clade. Ascertaining their affinities is complicated by the very fast evolution observed in their genes, potentially leading to the common systematic error of long-branch attraction (LBA) [10]. Here, we use mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequence data and show that both dicyemids and orthonectids are members of the Lophotrochozoa. Carefully addressing the effects of unequal rates of evolution, we show that the Mesozoa is polyphyletic. While the precise position of dicyemids remains unresolved within Lophotrochozoa, we identify orthonectids as members of the phylum Annelida. This result reveals one of the most extreme cases of body-plan simplification in the animal kingdom; our finding makes sense of an annelid-like cuticle in orthonectids [2] and suggests that the circular muscle cells repeated along their body [11] may be segmental in origin.

Schiffer|Philipp H|PH|
Robertson|Helen E|HE|
Telford|Maximilian J|MJ|

Orthonectida Dicyemida Mesozoa Annelida Rhombozoa phylogeny


A comparative study of the effectiveness of nonattendance and workshop education of primary school teachers on their knowledge, attitude and function towards ADHD students in Isfahan in 2010.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood behavioral disorder causing hyperactivity, attention deficit and education decline among students. The teachers may not have enough knowledge about this disorder and are in a real need in this field. Teachers' education is one of the ways to get knowledge about this disorder. Nowadays, finding a way like a short term nonattendance education method is highly in demand. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare effectiveness of nonattendance and workshop education of primary school teachers on their knowledge, attitude, and function towards ADHD students.

METHODS
Sixty seven primary school teachers from the First Districts of Education Department of Isfahan were randomly selected and put into two groups of workshop education (33 participants) and nonattendance education (34 participants). At first, both groups filled demographic date questionnaires and then, were given a pretest. Post tests were given after a two day education in workshop group and after ten days in nonattendance group who had studied the related booklet. Finally, the mean post test scores of knowledge, attitude and knowledge of function were compared between the two groups using ANCOVA analysis.

RESULTS
After intervention, the mean scores of knowledge between the two groups was not significantly different whereas the mean scores of attitude and the mean scores of knowledge of function showed a significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS
Nonattendance education was as effective as workshop education in promotion of teachers' knowledge, but workshop education was more effective in attitude change and promotion of teachers' knowledge of function about dealing with ADHD students.

Sarraf|Nasrin|N|
Karahmadi|Mojgan|M|
Marasy|Mohammad Reza|MR|
Azhar|Seied Mohammad Masood|SM|

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder


Prevalence of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Southern California Dogs With Clinical and Laboratory Abnormalities Consistent With Immune-Mediated Disease.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Studies investigating the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in southern California dogs are limited. Occult infections might be misdiagnosed as idiopathic immune-mediated disease.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES
(1) To determine the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in southern California dogs with compatible clinical findings using PCR and serologic panels and (2) to determine whether testing convalescent samples and repeating PCR on acute samples using the same and different gene targets enhance detection.

ANIMALS
Forty-two client-owned dogs with clinical signs of vector-borne disease presenting to specialty practices in San Diego County.

METHODS
Combined prospective and retrospective observational study. Forty-two acute and 27 convalescent samples were collected. Acute samples were prospectively tested for antibodies to Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Bartonella, Babesia, Borrelia, and Anaplasma species. PCR targeting Ehrlichia, Babesia, Anaplasma, hemotropic Mycoplasma, and Bartonella species was also performed. Retrospectively, convalescent samples were tested for the same organisms using serology, and for Ehrlichia, Babesia, Anaplasma, and Bartonella species using PCR. Acute samples were retested using PCR targeting Ehrlichia and Babesia species.

RESULTS
Evidence of exposure to or infection with a vector-borne pathogen was detected in 33% (14/42) of dogs. Ehrlichia and Babesia species were most common; each was identified in 5 dogs. Convalescent serologic testing, repeating PCR, and using novel PCR gene targets increased detection by 30%.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Repeated testing using serology and PCR enhances detection of infection by vector-borne pathogens in dogs with clinical signs of immune-mediated disease. Larger prevalence studies of emerging vector-borne pathogens in southern California dogs are warranted.

Kidd|L|L|
Qurollo|B|B|
Lappin|M|M|
Richter|K|K|
Hart|J R|JR|
Hill|S|S|
Osmond|C|C|
Breitschwerdt|E B|EB|

D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Immune-mediated Anaplasmosis Babesiosis Ehrlichiosis Flea Rickettsioses Tick


Adaptation to recent conflict in the classical color-word Stroop-task mainly involves facilitation of processing of task-relevant information.

Abstract: To process information selectively and to continuously fine-tune selectivity of information processing are important abilities for successful goal-directed behavior. One phenomenon thought to represent this fine-tuning are conflict adaptation effects in interference tasks, i.e., reduction of interference after an incompatible trial and when incompatible trials are frequent. The neurocognitive mechanisms of these effects are currently only partly understood and results from brainimaging studies so far are mixed. In our study we validate and extend recent findings by examining adaption to recent conflict in the classical Stroop task using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Consistent with previous research we found increased activity in a fronto-parietal network comprising the medial prefrontal cortex, ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex, and posterior parietal cortex when contrasting incompatible with compatible trials. These areas have been associated with attentional processes and might reflect increased cognitive conflict and resolution thereof during incompatible trials. While carefully controlling for non-attentional sequential effects we found smaller Stroop interference after an incompatible trial (conflict adaptation effect). These behavioral conflict adaptation effects were accompanied by changes in activity in visual color-selective areas (V4, V4α), while there was no modulation by previous trial compatibility in a visual word-selective area (VWFA). Our results provide further evidence for the notion, that adaptation to recent conflict seems to be based mainly on enhancement of processing of the task-relevant information.

conflict adaptation
V4
VWFA
cognitive control
color-word Stroop
fMRI


Oncofertility: Pharmacological Protection and Immature Testicular Tissue (ITT)-Based Strategies for Prepubertal and Adolescent Male Cancer Patients.

Abstract: While the incidence of cancer in children and adolescents has significantly increased over the last decades, improvements made in the field of cancer therapy have led to an increased life expectancy for childhood cancer survivors. However, the gonadotoxic effect of the treatments may lead to infertility. Although semen cryopreservation represents the most efficient and safe fertility preservation method for males producing sperm, it is not feasible for prepubertal boys. The development of an effective strategy based on the pharmacological protection of the germ cells and testicular function during gonadotoxic exposure is a non-invasive preventive approach that prepubertal boys could benefit from. However, the progress in this field is slow. Currently, cryopreservation of immature testicular tissue (ITT) containing spermatogonial stem cells is offered to prepubertal boys as an experimental fertility preservation strategy by a number of medical centers. Several in vitro and in vivo fertility restoration approaches based on the use of ITT have been developed so far with autotransplantation of ITT appearing more promising. In this review, we discuss the pharmacological approaches for fertility protection in prepubertal and adolescent boys and the fertility restoration approaches developed on the utilization of ITT.

oncofertility
pharmacological protection
adolescent males
cancer
fertility preservation
prepubertal boys
ITT
restoration
gonadotoxic treatment
testis


Occipitocervical Fusions in Elderly Patients: Mortality and Reoperation Rates From a National Spine Registry.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Several studies have shown excellent fusion rates in occipitocervical (OC) fusions, but very little is reported on mortality and reoperation rates in elderly patients. Our article reports these rates in elderly patients from a national spine registry with a >2-year follow-up period.

METHODS
Using data from a spine implant registry developed at a large integrated health care system (Kaiser Permanente), elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) with instrumented OC fusions between January 1, 2009 and September 30, 2013 were identified. Patients' demographics were extracted from the registry. From chart review, the types of hardware and bone graft used, as well as mortality and reoperations rates were noted.

RESULTS
Forty-seven patients with OC fusions were identified. Six patients had reoperations related to their fusions. Two occurred in the same patient, which resulted in a 14.9% reoperation rate. There were a total of 13 deaths (27.7%), with 7 occurring within 3 months, but only 4 (8.5%) related to the procedure. Bone morphogenetic protein was used in 29 patients (85.3%, 29/34). All cases used occipital plates with rods and screws. There was 1 nonunion.

CONCLUSIONS
Mortality rate was 27.7% and the reoperations rate was 14.9% for patients who underwent OC fusions with age >65 years and were observed for >2 years. These numbers are much higher than in younger patients, but reflect a higher mortality due to their comorbidities and from progression of their disease for cases of metastasis to the spine.

Guppy|Kern H|KH|
Brara|Harsimran S|HS|
Bernbeck|Johannes A|JA|

Occipitocervical fusions
Elderly patients
Mortality
Reoperation
Bone morphogenetic protein
Nonunions


The Role of MAPK Pathways in Airborne Fine Particulate Matter-Induced Upregulation of Endothelin Receptors in Rat Basilar Arteries.

Abstract: Airborne fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) increases the risk of cerebrovascular diseases. However, existing experimental data do not sufficiently explain how PM(2.5) affects cerebral vessels. This study sought to examine whether PM(2.5) alters endothelin (ET) receptor expression on rat cerebral arteries and the potential underlying mechanisms. Isolated rat basilar arteries were cultured with PM(2.5) aqueous suspension in the presence of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitors. ET receptor-mediated vasomotor functions were recorded by a sensitive myograph. ET(A) and ET(B) receptor mRNA and protein expressions were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Compared with fresh and culture alone arteries, PM(2.5) significantly enhanced ET(A) and ET(B) receptor-mediated contractions and increased receptor mRNA and protein expressions in basilar arteries, indicating PM(2.5) upregulates ET(A) and ET(B) receptors. Culturing with SB386023 (MEK/ERK1/2 inhibitor), U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor), SP600125 [c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor], or SB203580 (p38 inhibitor) attenuated PM(2.5)-induced ETB receptor upregulation. PM(2.5)-induced enhancement of ET(A) receptor-mediated contraction and receptor expression was notably inhibited by SB386023 or U0126. However, neither SP600125 nor SB203580 had an effect on PM(2.5)-induced ET(A) receptor upregulation. In conclusion, PM(2.5) upregulates ET(A) and ET(B) receptors in rat basilar arteries. ET(B) receptor upregulation is involved in MEK/ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK pathways, and ET(A) receptors upregulation is associated with MEK/ERK1/2 pathway.

Xiao|Xue|X| Wang|Rong|R| Cao|Lei|L| Shen|Zhen-xing|ZX| Cao|Yong-xiao|YX|

endothelin receptor
rat
basilar artery
fine particulate matter


Fatigue in patients with Behçet's syndrome: relationship with quality of life, depression, anxiety, disability and disease activity.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
Fatigue is a common symptom of chronic inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate fatigue in patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS) and to examine the relationship between fatigue and disease activity, quality of life, anxiety and depression.

METHODS
This is a cross-sectional study of 123 BS patients and 71 healthy controls in Turkey. All subjects completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) questionnaire, Short form-36 (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS) scale and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Disease activity among BS patients was assessed using the Behçet Syndrome Activity Scale (BSAS) and the physician's global assessment (PGA).

RESULTS
BS patients had significantly higher MAF, HADS-depression (HADS-D) and HADS-anxiety (HADS-A) scores than the healthy controls (P < 0.001). Both the physical and mental components of the SF-36 scale were impaired in BS patients (P = 0.0001). BS patients with active disease, depression and anxiety had significantly higher MAF scores compared to BS patients without active disease, depression and anxiety (P = 0.0001). MAF scores showed positive correlations with HADS-A, HADS-D, HAQ scores and negative correlations with SF-36 mental and physical components. In regression analyses, depression, anxiety and physical dysfunction were significantly associated with fatigue, after adjusting for age, sex, SF-36 physical and mental scores, HAQ, HADS-A, HADS-D and BSAS scores (P < 0.05). Decreases in SF-36 physical and mental scores were significant predictive factors for high MAF score in healthy controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue is common in clinically active BS patients compared with healthy controls and inactive BS patients. Depression, anxiety and physical dysfunction were significantly associated with fatigue.

Ilhan|Birkan|B|
Can|Meryem|M|
Alibaz-Oner|Fatma|F|
Yilmaz-Oner|Sibel|S|
Polat-Korkmaz|Ozge|O|
Ozen|Gulsen|G|
Mumcu|Gonca|G|
Maradit Kremers|Hilal|H|
Direskeneli|Haner|H|


Boron Doped Carbon Quantum Dots: Turn-Off Fluorescent Probe for Dopamine Detection.

Abstract: In this report, Boron-doped carbon quantum dots (BCQD, size = 2.3 nm) were fabricated by modified hydrothermal carbonization method by one-pot synthesis using phenyl boronic acid as the common precursor that provided seed for the formation of carbon quantum dots as well as the dopant. These quantum dots exhibited excellent properties including aqueous dispersibility, strong fluorescence emission, good environmental stability, highselectivity and sensitivity towards the neurochemical, dopamine even in the absence of any linker or functionalizing agents. It is shown that this material can be used as a "turn off" fluorescent probe for the detection of even low concentration of dopamine with a minimum detection limit of ~6 μM. The simplicity of synthesis protocol and the easiness of dopamine detection define the novelty of this approach.

Deswal|Anju|A|
Rais|Anam|A|
Rawat|Kamla|K|0000-0003-3825-376X
Prasad|Tulika|T|
Bohidar|H B|HB|0000-0002-6524-3543

Carbon quantum dot
Boron-doped quantum dot
Dopamine sensor
Fluorescence Turn-Off sensor


Spatiotemporal differences in phosphorus release potential of bloom-forming cyanobacteria in Lake Taihu.

Abstract: The abnormal elevation of cyanobacterial density and total phosphorus concentration after the reduction of exogenous pollutants in Lake Taihu is still an open question. An in-situ light-dark bottle method was used to investigate the spatiotemporal differences of phosphorus release potential of bloom-forming cyanobacteria (BFC) in Lake Taihu. Generalized additive model analysis (GAM) of field data revealed that the phosphorus release potential of BFC increased with the upregulation of Chlorophyll a (Chl-a) content per cell, which was further validated by the laboratory experiment results. We deduced that the accumulation of Chl-a content per cell might be an essential index of high phosphorus release potential of BFC. The phosphorus release potential of BFC was much higher in summer and autumn than that in spring and winter, while the phosphorus absorption potential increased with the rising of temperature. The distinct physiological status of BFC at different seasons brought about their variation in phosphorus release potential. Additionally, high phosphorus release potential of BFC region mainly concentrated in the eastern and the central, northwest, western, and the south of Lake Taihu in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. Further studies showed that the spatial differences in phosphorus release potential of BFC were most probably due to the horizontal drift of BFC driven by the prevailing wind. Collectively, the synergism of BFC's physiological status and horizontal drift determined the spatiotemporal differences of phosphorus release potential of BFC in Lake Taihu. Moreover, apparent spatiotemporal differences in phosphorus release potential of BFC were essential factors that induced the distinct distribution of total phosphorus in Lake Taihu. This study provides insight for exploring the reason for the constant increase of total dissolved phosphorus concentration and cyanobacterial density in Lake Taihu for the past 5 years.

Wang|Mengmeng|M| Zhang|Huifen|H| Du|Caili|C| Zhang|Wei|W| Shen|Jianing|J| Yang|Shunqing|S| Yang|Liuyan|L|

Spatiotemporal differences
Phosphorus release potential
Bloom-forming cyanobacteria
Chl-a content per cell
Prevailing wind


A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist's Transition to Manager.

Abstract: The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was twofold: (1) to identify common experiences or barriers that arise during the first year as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) move into management and (2) to identify knowledge, skills, abilities, and resources needed to ensure a smooth and successful career transition for new CRNA managers. A sample of 18 current and past CRNA managers participated in one-on-one phone interviews using a 16-question, semistructured interview protocol. Interview data were analyzed for emergent themes using qualitative data analysis software. Results identified 2 common phenomena among CRNA managers. First, many managers did not seek management opportunities but fell into their management role, with 11 (61%) having no management experience. Second, 14 (76%) of the participants performed greater than 50% clinical duties as a manager, thus a hybrid manager. Important knowledge, skills, abilities, and resources identified as valuable during a transition into a managerial role included mentorship (83%), previous relevant education or experiences (67%), and people skills (56%). This study found lack of direction or training (28%) as the most common difficulty during transition. Results of this investigation may assist current and future CRNA managers to be better prepared to assume managerial roles.

hybrid manager
First-time manager
nurse manager
physician manager


A Novel Weight Lifting Task for Investigating Effort and Persistence in Rats.

Abstract: Here we present a novel effort-based task for laboratory rats: the weight lifting task (WLT). Studies of effort expenditure in rodents have typically involved climbing barriers within T-mazes or operant lever pressing paradigms. These task designs have been successful for neuropharmacological and neurophysiological investigations, but both tasks involve simple action patterns. High climbing barriers may also present risk of injury to animals and/or issues with tethered recording equipment. In the WLT, a rat is placed in a large rectangular arena and tasked with pulling a rope 30 cm to trigger food delivery at a nearby spout; weights can be added to the rope in 45 g increments to increase the intensity of effort. As compared to lever pressing and barrier jumping, 30 cm of rope pulling is a multi-step action sequence requiring sustained effort. The actions are carried out on the single plane of the arena floor, making it safer for the animal and more suitable for tethered equipment and video tracking. A microcontroller and associated sensors enable precise timestamping of specific behaviors to synchronize with electrophysiological recordings. The rope and reward spout are spatially segregated to allow for spatial discrimination of the effort zone and the reward zone. We validated the task across five cohorts of rats (total n = 35) and report consistent behavioral metrics. The WLT is well-suited for neuropharmacological and/or in vivo neurophysiological investigations surrounding effortful behaviors, particularly when wanting to probe different aspects of effort expenditure (intensity vs. duration).

effort
persistence
motivation
progressive ratio
rat behavior


Bio-oil and char obtained from cassava rhizomes with soil conditioners by fast pyrolysis.

Abstract: We studied the properties of the bio-oil and char from fast pyrolysis of cassava rhizomes in a free-fall reactor, catalyzed by adding various soil conditioners (or improvers) as catalysts to the reactor at 500 °C and 200 g/h feed rate. Four conditioners were evaluated - granular TPI pH11 soil conditioner, volcanic rock, TPI pelletized organic fertilizer and super dolomite - and added at 50% (w/w) of the rhizomes. Bio-oil and gas yields decreased, whereas char yields increased, yielding bio-oil 57-59%, gas 14-20% and char 23-28%. With the catalysts, the bio-oil higher heating value increased, while that of char decreased: for cassava rhizomes with volcanic rock the bio-oil high heating value increased from 19.4 to 23.6 MJ/kg, whereas rhizomes with dolomite led to an increased viscosity from 27 to 34 × 10-3 mm2/s.

Rueangsan|Koson|K| Kraisoda|Pakkip|P| Heman|Adcha|A| Tasarod|Homhuan|H| Wangkulangkool|Monchawan|M| Trisupakitti|Somsuk|S| Morris|John|J|

Bio-oil
Cassava rhizome
Soil conditioners
Fast pyrolysis
Free-fall reactor


Dynamics of N2 Dissociation upon Inner-Valence Ionization by Wavelength-Selected XUV Pulses.

Abstract: Ionization of nitrogen by extreme ultraviolet (XUV) light from the Sun has recently been recognized as an important driver of chemical reactions in the atmosphere of Titan. XUV photons with energies of 24 eV and above convert inert nitrogen molecules into reactive neutral and ionic fragments that initiate chemical reactions. Understanding the XUV-induced fragmentation poses significant challenges to modern theory owing to its ultrafast time scales, complex electronic rearrangements, and strong dependence on the XUV photon energy. Here, we apply femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron and photoion spectroscopy to study dissociative ionization of nitrogen, the most abundant molecule in Titan's atmosphere, at selected XUV photon energies using a table-top XUV time-compensating monochromator. We probe the resulting dynamics using a time-delayed infrared (IR) ionization pulse. Coupled with ab initio calculations, the results allow us to assign the major dissociation channels resulting from production of an inner-valence hole, with important implications for models of Titan's XUV-driven atmospheric chemistry.

Eckstein|Martin|M|
Yang|Chung-Hsin|CH|
Kubin|Markus|M|
Frassetto|Fabio|F|
Poletto|Luca|L|
Ritze|Hans-Hermann|HH|
Vrakking|Marc J J|MJ|
Kornilov|Oleg|O|

nitrogen
DMRG
Titan atmosphere
Ultrafast dissociation
XUV monochromator


Interaction of Alpha-synuclein with Cytogaligin, a protein encoded by the proapoptotic gene GALIG.

Abstract: GALIG, an internal gene to the human galectin-3 gene, encodes two distinct proteins, Mitogaligin and Cytogaligin through translation of a unique mRNA in two overlapping alternative reading frames. When overexpressed GALIG induces apoptosis. In cultured cells, Mitogaligin destabilizes mitochondria membranes through interaction with cardiolipin. Little is known regarding the role of Cytogaligin. This protein displays multiple subcellular localizations; cytosol, nucleus, and mitochondria. We illustrate here that Cytogaligin is also secreted in the extracellular medium. Cytogaligin is shown to interact with α-Synuclein, the major component of Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease. Overexpression of Cytogaligin reduces α-Synuclein dimerization raising a possible role in the evolution of α-Synuclein aggregation, a key molecular event underlying the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

El Haddad|Saïd|S|
Serrano|Amandine|A|
Normand|Thierry|T|
Robin|Chloé|C|
Dubois|Martine|M|
Brulé-Morabito|Fabienne|F|
Mollet|Lucile|L|
Charpentier|Stéphane|S|
Legrand|Alain|A|

Luciferase protein-fragment complementation assay


Heavy metal accumulation in organs of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) from industrial effluent-polluted aquatic ecosystem in Lagos, Nigeria.

Abstract: The concentrations of four heavy metals (Zn, Fe, Cu, and Pb) in water, sediment, and tissues (gill, muscle, brain, and intestine) of Oreochromis niloticus from a segment of the Lagos Lagoon complex were monitored for 10 months (July 2012-April 2013) spanning wet and dry seasons. Three sampling stations were selected: Ologe Lagoon, the nearest to the point where effluent is discharged from Agbara Industrial Estate, the Owo River is upstream before the point of discharge of industrial effluent, and Etegbin is downstream. In most cases, the highest concentrations of heavy metal in fish tissues were recorded in samples obtained from Ologe Lagoon. The ranges of concentrations of heavy metals in the tissues of the fish were 4.06 ± 2.45-49.94 ± 13.11, 81.27 ± 28.52-2044.64 ± 554.77, 10.90 ± 7.69-41.10 ± 11.24, and 0.12 ± 0.07-1.81 ± 3.12 mg/kg for Zn, Fe, Cu, and Pb, respectively. There were significant negative correlations (lowest; r = -0.24, p < 0.01, n = 30; highest; r = -0.58, p < 0.01, n = 30) between fish tissue metal concentrations and size of fish from Ologe Lagoon. Also, significant positive correlations (lowest; r = 0.48, p < 0.05, n = 30; highest; r = 0.93, p < 0.01, n = 30) between concentrations of Cu in sediment and tissues of O. niloticus were observed. The concentrations of the metals in the tissues of O. niloticus have exceeded the limits recommended by WHO. The maximum safe daily consumption (MSDC) value of Fe in Ologe Lagoon was lower than the recommended average daily intake of fish for humans. This indicated that O. niloticus from Ologe Lagoon may not be safe for human consumption. Therefore, there is a need for regular monitoring of heavy metal in these water bodies and enforcement of existing laws on the treatment of effluent before they are discharged into aquatic ecosystems.

Ndimele|Prince Emeka|PE|
Pedro|Musa O|MO|
Agboola|Julius Ibukun|JI|
Chukwuka|Kanayo Stephen|KS|
Ekwu|Alice O|AO|

Heavy metals
Oreochromis niloticus
Industrial effluent
Maximum safe daily consumption
Physico-chemistry


Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Enhanced Nuclear Spin Optical Rotation.

Abstract: Nuclear spin optical rotation (NSOR) has been investigated as a magneto-optical effect, which holds the potential for applications, including hybrid optical-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gradientless imaging. The intrinsic nature of NSOR renders its detection relatively insensitive, which has prevented it moving from a proof of concept to a method supporting chemical characterizations. In this work, the dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization technique is introduced to provide nuclear spin polarization, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio by several thousand times. NSOR signals of 1 H and 19 F nuclei are observed in a single scan for diluted compounds, which has made this effect suitable for the determination of electronic transitions from a specific nucleus in a large molecule.

nuclear spin optical rotation
Faraday effect
NMR spectroscopy
hyperpolarization


Key Aspects of the Immunobiology of Haploidentical Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

Abstract: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a haploidentical donor is increasingly used and has become a standard donor option for patients lacking an appropriately matched sibling or unrelated donor. Historically, prohibitive immunological barriers resulting from the high degree of HLA-mismatch included graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) and graft failure. These were overcome with increasingly sophisticated strategies to manipulate the sensitive balance between donor and recipient immune cells. Three different approaches are currently in clinical use: (a) ex vivo T-cell depletion resulting in grafts with defined immune cell content (b) extensive immunosuppression with a T-cell replete graft consisting of G-CSF primed bone marrow and PBSC (GIAC) (c) T-cell replete grafts with post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy). Intriguing studies have recently elucidated the immunologic mechanisms by which PTCy prevents GVHD. Each approach uniquely affects post-transplant immune reconstitution which is critical for the control of post-transplant infections and relapse. NK-cells play a key role in haplo-HCT since they do not mediate GVHD but can successfully mediate a graft-vs.-leukemia effect. This effect is in part regulated by KIR receptors that inhibit NK cell cytotoxic function when binding to the appropriate HLA-class I ligands. In the context of an HLA-class I mismatch in haplo-HCT, lack of inhibition can contribute to NK-cell alloreactivity leading to enhanced anti-leukemic effect. Emerging work reveals immune evasion phenomena such as copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity of the incompatible HLA alleles as one of the major mechanisms of relapse. Relapse and infectious complications remain the leading causes impacting overall survival and are central to scientific advances seeking to improve haplo-HCT. Given that haploidentical donors can typically be readily approached to collect additional stem- or immune cells for the recipient, haplo-HCT represents a unique platform for cell- and immune-based therapies aimed at further reducing relapse and infections. The rapid advancements in our understanding of the immunobiology of haplo-HCT are therefore poised to lead to iterative innovations resulting in further improvement of outcomes with this compelling transplant modality.

Baumeister|Susanne H C|SHC|
Rambaldi|Benedetta|B|
Shapiro|Roman M|RM|
Romee|Rizwan|R|

D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

immunobiology
haploidentical
stem cell transplantation
NK-cells
graft-vs.-leukemia


New emergence pattern with variant porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses, South Korea, 2012-2015.

Abstract: Since outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in the United States in 2013, explosive outbreaks of PED in South Korea have infected all age groups of pigs in 2014-2015year. This study analyzed a large collection of the Spike protein coding gene to infer the spatial-temporal diffusion history of PEDV. The studying results suggested that PEDVs in Korea belonged to different genogroups. While classical G1 was continuingly circulating between provinces of Korea, the pandemic G2a were recently introduced from China and USA. By the application of Bayesian phylogeographical analysis, this study demonstrated the spatial-temporal transmission of PEDVs within Korea. Of the recent emerged G2a viruses, J3142 strains showed potential recombination breakpoint (376-2,143nt) of S1 gene between KNU1303_Korea strain_G2a (KJ451046) and 45RWVCF0712_Thailand strain_G2b (KF724935). The pandemic G2a virus was partial neutralized by the antibodies invoked by the G1- based PED vaccine virus.

Chung|Hee-Chun|HC|
Lee|Jee-Hoon|JH|
Nguyen|Van Giap|VG|
Huynh|Thi My Le|TML|
Lee|Ga-Eun|GE|
Moon|Hyoung-Joon|HJ|
Park|Seong-Jun|SJ|
Kim|Hye-Kwon|HK|
Park|Bong Kyun|BK|

D000818:Animals
D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging
D018352:Coronavirus Infections
D003967:Diarrhea
D049674:History, 21st Century
D010802:Phylogeny
D053485:Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus
D016865:Reassortant Viruses
D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D056910:Republic of Korea
D013552:Swine
D013553:Swine Diseases
D014764:Viral Proteins

South Korea
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus
Isolation
Novel strains
Piglets


Prenatal Screening for Developmental Displacement of the Hip: The BUDDHA (Pre-Birth Ultrasound for Developmental Displacement of the Hip Assessment) Study.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
developmental dysplasia of the hip has an incidence of 3-5 out of 1000 children. Currently, only postnatal screening is available.

OBJECTIVE
to test the feasibility of a method based on Graf technique application at antenatal ultrasound in assessing the normal development of the hip in unselected term fetuses.

METHODS
a prospective cohort study in a single university tertiary hospital from January 2017 to January 2020. Single uncomplicated term pregnancies (37-40 weeks) attending our center for routine ultrasound were consecutively recruited for the purpose of the study. A 3D volume acquisition was launched on the coxofemoral joint of the fetus by a single expert operator, and offline analysis was then performed in the multiplanar mode by two operators (blinded to each other analysis) in order to measure the alpha and beta angles according to our modified Graf technique. Intra- and inter-observer variations were calculated. Reference charts for normal values of both angles were produced. Postnatal ultrasound was then performed to measure the Graf angles in newborns, confirming a normal development of the hip.

RESULTS
in the study period, 433 uncomplicated term pregnancies underwent 3D ultrasound for the assessment of the fetal hip. One case was subsequently excluded because of confirmed postnatal diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip. The measurement of our modified Graf angles was feasible at prenatal ultrasound with a good reproducibility. The inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of both angles was substantial. Reference charts for normal values of both angles were produced.

CONCLUSIONS
the evaluation of the coxofemoral joint in fetuses at term of gestation has never been attempted before. The Graf technique application, currently employed at postnatal ultrasound, may also be adapted to prenatal ultrasound with a substantial reproducibility. However, there was no evidence of a linear relationship between prenatal and postnatal alpha angles and beta angles. Further research is needed to establish if developmental dysplasia of the hip could be diagnosed antenatally.

Contro|Elena|E|
Larcher|Laura|L|0000-0002-7283-0164
Lenzi|Jacopo|J|0000-0003-2882-4223
Benfenati|Arianna|A|
Massinissa Magini|Giulia|G|
Galeati|Giulia|G|
Terrone|Maria|M|
Galletti|Silvia|S|
Arcuri|Santo|S|
Seidenari|Anna|A|
Farina|Antonio|A|

prenatal screening
developmental dysplasia of the hip
Graf technique
antenatal ultrasound
coxofemoral joint
alpha and beta angles


Prehabilitation in Thoracic Cancer Surgery: From Research to Standard of Care.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether personalized, stepped prehabilitation care is a feasible, safe, and effective implementation strategy.

DESIGN
Quality improvement project. Data collected prospectively from August 2018 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively to describe the clinical implementation of a prehabilitation care program for elective lung cancer surgery.

SETTING
Single center, tertiary university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS
Eighty-one consecutive adult patients living in the metropolitan area of Montreal were included if an elective resection of suspected or confirmed lung cancer was planned.

INTERVENTIONS
At the earliest contemplation of surgery, the whole cohort was screened for impaired physical, nutritional, and/or psychological status. Patients screened at higher risk received dedicated assessment and personalized prehabilitation care upon specific needs.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Patients' specific needs and their access and flow through the different services were described. Prehabilitation effectiveness was evaluated using walking and exercise tests, and adverse events were monitored. Eighty-one patients were screened for functional impairments. Forty patients showed reduction of physical function, seven of them refused the specific assessment, one refused in-hospital exercise; 48 patients showed nutritional risk, eight of them refused or did not comply with nutritional therapy. Overall, 45 high-risk patients received a one-month personalized prehabilitation program: 16 partook in a trimodal program (exercise, nutrition, and psychological), and 22 received a program with both nutrition and exercise. No adverse events occurred during the study period. After prehabilitation, six-minute waking distance improved by 29.9 meters (standard deviation 47.3 m) (n = 35; p = 0.001) and the oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold improved by 1.6 (1.7) mL/kg/min (n = 13; p = 0.004). Length of hospital stay was two (interquartile range one-four) days in prehabilitated patients versus three (two-seven) days in the usual care group (p = 0.101).

CONCLUSIONS
A personalized, stepped prehabilitation program targeting high-risk patients undergoing elective lung cancer surgery was feasible, safe, and effective.

Minnella|Enrico Maria|EM|
Baldini|Gabriele|G|
Quang|Anh Thy Le|ATL|
Bessissow|Amal|A|
Spicer|Jonathan|J|
Carli|Francesco|F|

D000328:Adult
D006801:Humans
D008175:Lung Neoplasms
D011300:Preoperative Care
D000082622:Preoperative Exercise
D012189:Retrospective Studies
D059039:Standard of Care

prehabilitation
lung cancer
ERAS
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
patient safety
thoracic surgery


What patterns of postpartum psychological distress are associated with maternal concerns about their children's emotional and behavioural problems at the age of three years?

Abstract: Mothers experiencing psychological distress in the postpartum period may have difficulties parenting their children. Inconsistent and unresponsive parenting may increase the risk of later emotional and behavioural problems in children. The purpose of this study was to identify how maternal psychological characteristics cluster at eight weeks postpartum, and whether these clusters were associated with maternal-reported child emotional and behavioural problems at the age of three years, as measured by the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) questionnaire. In a longitudinal pregnancy cohort (N = 647), three clusters of postpartum psychological characteristics were identified. Contrary to expectations, mothers with the greatest psychological distress did not report concerns about their child's emotional and behavioural problems; rather, they reported concerns about global developmental delay. These findings suggest that infants of mothers experiencing postpartum psychological distress should receive additional follow-up to reduce the risk for global developmental delay.

postpartum
psychological distress
child behaviour
longitudinal studies
preschool children
screening


Melatonin Promotes Heterotopic Ossification Through Regulation of Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Injured Achilles Tendons in Rats.

Abstract: Although heterotopic ossification (HO) has been reported to be a common complication of the posttraumatic healing process, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is known to play a role in HO, and our recent study observed that neuroendocrine signals can promote HO by modulating EndMT. Melatonin, a neuroendocrine hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland, has been documented to perform its function in the skeletal system. This study aimed at describing the expression of melatonin during the formation of HO in rat models of Achilles tendon injury and to further investigate its role in regulating EndMT in HO. Histological staining revealed the expression of melatonin throughout the formation of heterotopic bone in injured Achilles tendons, and the serum melatonin levels were increased after the initial injury. Double immunofluorescence showed that the MT2 melatonin receptor was notably expressed at the sites of injury. Micro-CT showed the enhancement of heterotopic bone volume and calcified areas in rats treated with melatonin. Additionally, our data showed that melatonin induced EndMT in primary rat aortic endothelial cells (RAOECs), which acquired traits including migratory function, invasive function and EndMT and MSC marker gene and protein expression. Furthermore, our data exhibited that melatonin promoted the osteogenic differentiation of RAOECs undergoing EndMT in vitro. Importantly, inhibition of the melatonin-MT2 pathway by using the MT2 selective inhibitor 4-P-PDOT inhibited melatonin-induced EndMT and osteogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that melatonin promoted HO through the regulation of EndMT in injured Achilles tendons in rats, and these findings might provide additional directions for the management of HO.

Zhang|Jie|J| Tang|Jiajun|J| Liu|Jie|J| Yan|Bo|B| Yan|Bin|B| Huang|Minjun|M| Zhang|Zhongmin|Z| Wang|Liang|L|

melatonin
heterotopic ossification
EndMT
neuroendocrine
osteogenesis


Acute psychosocial stress effects on memory performance: Relevance of age and sex.

Abstract: In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in investigating the effects of chronic and acute stress on cognitive processes, especially memory performance. However, research focusing on acute stress effects has reported contradictory findings, probably due to the many factors that can moderate this relationship. In addition to factors related to the individual, such as sex and age, other factors, such as the type of memory assessed, can play a critical role in the direction of these effects. This review summarizes the main findings of our research group and others about the effects of acute psychosocial stress on memory performance in young and older people of both sexes, taking into account the type and phase of memory assessed. In our opinion, an approach that addresses individual factors and other factors related to the type of stressor and temporal relationship between exposure to the stressor and performance will contribute to better understanding the mechanisms underlying the complex relationship between acute stress and memory. Finally, some new directions for future studies on this research topic are suggested.

Hidalgo|Vanesa|V|
Pulopulos|Matias M|MM|
Salvador|Alicia|A|

D000367:Age Factors
D006801:Humans
D008568:Memory
D008570:Memory, Short-Term
D011939:Mental Recall
D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
D012737:Sex Factors
D013315:Stress, Psychological

Psychosocial stress
Memory
Aging
Sex
Cortisol


Adenosine monophosphate is not superior to histamine for bronchial provocation test for assessment of asthma control and symptoms.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) may reflect airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, but relationship between AMP and histamine (His, a conventional stimulus) bronchial provocation test (BPT) in asthma is not fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVES
To compare both BPTs and determine their utility in reflecting changes of asthmatic symptoms.

METHODS
BPTs were performed in a cross-over fashion, at 2-4 day intervals. Cumulative doses eliciting 20% FEV1 fall (PD20 FEV1 ), diagnostic performance and adverse events (AEs) were compared. Patients with PD20 FEV1 lower than geometric mean were defined as responders, otherwise poor responders. Patients with uncontrolled and partly controlled asthma, who maintained their original inhaled corticosteroids therapy, underwent reassessment of airway responsiveness and asthmatic symptoms 3 and 6 months after.

RESULTS
Nineteen uncontrolled, 22 partly controlled and 19 controlled asthmatic patients and 24 healthy subjects were recruited. Lower PD20 FEV1 geometric means were associated with poorer asthma control in His-BPT (0.424 μmol vs 1.684 μmol vs 3.757 μmol), but not AMP-BPT (11.810 μmol vs 7.781 μmol vs 10.220 μmol). Both BPTs yielded similar overall diagnostic performance in asthma (area under curve: 0.842 in AMP-BPT vs 0.850 in His-BPT). AEs, including wheezing and tachypnea, were similar and mild. Ten patients with uncontrolled and 10 partly controlled asthma were followed-up. At months 3 and 6, we documented an increase in PD20 FEV1 -AMP and PD20 FEV1 -His, which did not correlate with reduction asthmatic symptom scores. This overall applied in responders and poor responders of AMP-BPT and His-BPT.

CONCLUSION
Despite higher screening capacity of well-controlled asthma, AMP-BPT confers similar diagnostic performance and safety with His-BPT. AMP-BPT might not preferentially reflect changes asthmatic symptoms.

Wu|Fan|F| Guan|Wei-Jie|WJ| Gao|Yi|Y| An|Jia-Ying|JY| Xie|Yan-Qing|YQ| Liu|Wen-Ting|WT| Yu|Xin-Xin|XX| Zheng|Jin-Ping|JP|

adenosine monophosphate - asthma - bronchial provocation test - histamine - responder


Talon Cusp Associates With MMP2 in a Cohort of Individuals Born With Oral Clefts.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to use dental development as a tool to subphenotype oral clefts and investigate the association of MMP2 with dentin-pulp complex anomalies, in order to identify dental anomalies that are a part of a "cleft syndrome."

DESIGN
Two hundred and ninety individuals born with cleft lip and palate were evaluated and several clinical features, such as cleft completeness or incompleteness, laterality, and presence of dental anomalies were used to assess each individual's cleft status. We tested for overrepresentation of MMP2 single nucleotide polymorphism rs9923304 alleles depending on individuals having certain dental anomalies. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used in all comparisons (α = .05).

RESULTS
All individuals studied had at least one dental anomaly outside the cleft area. Significant differences between individuals born with clefts with and without talon cusp (P = .04) were observed for the frequency of the MMP2 less common allele.

CONCLUSION
All individuals born with cleft lip and palate had alterations of the dentition, and a quarter to half of the individuals had alterations of the internal anatomy of their teeth, which further indicates that dental anomalies can be considered as an extended phenotype for clefts. MMP2 was associated with talon cusp in individuals born with oral clefts.

D002971:Cleft Lip
D002972:Cleft Palate
D015331:Cohort Studies
D006801:Humans
D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
D014071:Tooth Abnormalities

dental anomalies
genetics
nonsyndromic clefting


Contamination of the marine environment in Egypt and Saudi Arabia with personal protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic: A short focus.

Abstract: Plastic pollution and its impact on marine ecosystems are major concerns globally, and the situation was exacerbated after the outbreak of COVID-19. Clean-up campaigns took place during the summer season (June-August 2020) in two coastal cities in Egypt (Alexandria and Hurghada) and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to document the abundance of beach debris through public involvement, and then remove it. A total of 3673, 255, and 848 items were collected from Alexandria, Hurghada, and Jeddah daily, respectively. Gloves and face masks (personal protective equipment "PPE") represent represented 40-60% of the total plastic items collected from each of the three cities, while plastic bags represented 7-20% of the total plastics litter collected from the same cities. The results indicated the presence of 2.79, 0.29, and 0.86 PPE item m-2 in Alexandria, Hurghada and Jeddah, respectively. This short focus provides an assessment of the environmental impacts of single-use gloves and masks used for COVID-19 protection from June to August 2020. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first such information from the Middle East, specifically Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It highlights the need for further knowledge and action, such as safe, sustainable, and transparent waste management processes related to COVID-19 to reduce the negative impacts now, as well as in future events. Furthermore, this study helps in achieving key components of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This short focus can serve as a multipurpose document, not only for scientists of different disciplines but for social media and citizens in general.

Hassan|Ibrahim A|IA|
Younis|Alaa|A|
Al Ghamdi|Mansour A|MA|
Almazroui|Mansour|M|
Basahi|Jalal M|JM|
El-Sheekh|Mostafa M|MM|
Abouelkhair|Emad K|EK|
Haiba|Nesreen S|NS|
Alhussaini|Mohammed S|MS|
Hajjar|Dina|D|
Abdel Wahab|Magdy M|MM|
El Maghraby|Dahlia M|DM|

COVID-19
Plastic pollution
Marine ecosystems
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Volunteers


Prevalence and genetic variation of porcine circovirus type 2 in Hebei, China from 2004 to 2014.

Abstract: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), the primary causative agent of porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD), causes severe economic losses to the pig industry in China since 2002. To investigate the molecular epidemic characteristics and genetic evolution of PCV2, 12 PCV2 isolates obtained from different pig farms with various clinical symptoms of PCVAD in Hebei, China from 2004 to 2014 were sequenced and analyzed. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the 12 isolates were divided into two distinct genotypes, PCV2b (7/12) and PCV2d (5/12), based on the sequences of either viral complete genome or open reading frame 2 (ORF2). Of the 7 PCV2b strains, 5 were isolated from 2004 to 2008 while all PCV2d were isolated from 2009 to 2014. This exhibited that PCV2b isolates were the most common before 2009 and then PCV2d isolates became predominant and widely distributed in pig farms. Sequence comparisons among total isolates indicated that the nucleotide identity ranged from 95.5% to 100% for complete genome and 93.1%-100% for ORF2. Compared with seven PCV2b isolates, there were thirteen amino-acid substitutions in the ORF2 region and one additional amino-acid K at this region terminal for five PCV2d isolates. The results suggest that a higher genetic variation and a distinct genotype shift occurred among the PCV2 isolates collected from 2004 to 2014 in Hebei.

Li|Limin|L| Yuan|Wanzhe|W| Guo|Haiyong|H| Ma|Zengjun|Z| Song|Qinye|Q| Wang|Xiaobo|X| Li|Hongyuan|H|

Porcine circovirus type 2
Epidemic characteristics
Phylogenetic analysis
Genotype