Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Survival in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Abstract: Objective To identify any association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and survival outcomes for mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. An association has been demonstrated between T2DM and cancer outcomes at numerous sites, but data for the head and neck are limited. Improving our understanding of the impact that diabetes has on head and neck cancer survival is relevant for making treatment decisions and counseling patients regarding prognosis. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic tertiary referral head and neck cancer center. Subjects and Methods By accessing data retrospectively from prospectively collected databases at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, patients were studied who were treated for mucosal head and neck squamous cell cancer between January 2005 and December 2011. Collection of clinical, pathologic, and survival data was completed with an emphasis on T2DM. Results Of 2498 patients identified in the study period, 319 (12.8%) had T2DM. Five-year overall survival was not different between the diabetic (64%, 95% CI = 58%-71%) and nondiabetic (67%, 95% CI = 65%-69%; P = .078) groups. Furthermore, cause-specific survival did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between groups (diabetic: 84%, 95% CI = 79%-88%, vs nondiabetic: 84%, 95% CI = 82%-86%; P = .67). Conclusion Despite contradictory evidence at other cancer sites, the presence of T2DM alone does not appear to adversely affect cancer survival outcomes in head and neck squamous cell cancer. This is encouraging for the diabetic patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer, and it provides guidance for the multidisciplinary team that treats them.

Foreman|Andrew|A|
Lee|Daniel J|DJ|
McMullen|Caitlin|C|
de Almeida|John|J|
Muhanna|Nidal|N|
Gama|Ricardo Ribeiro|RR|
Giuliani|Meredith|M|
Liu|Geoffrey|G|
Bratman|Scott V|SV|
Huang|Shao Hui|SH|
O'Sullivan|Brian|B|
Song|Yuyao|Y|
Xu|Wei|W|
Goldstein|David P|DP|

D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

type 2 diabetes mellitus
head and neck
cancer survival
squamous cell cancer
comorbidity


Trends in the Incidence and Treatment of Benign Vocal Fold Lesions in Korea, 2006-2015: A Nationwide Population-based Study.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and demographics of benign vocal fold lesions (BVFL) and trends in its treatment in Korea based on data collected from the National Health Insurance Service database.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Data for patients diagnosed with BVFL (ICM-10 codes J381, J382, J384) from 2006 to 2015 were selected for analysis. Patient characteristics, including sex, age, income, area of residence, and comorbidity, were analyzed. Treatment was divided into surgical management and conservative management using operation codes.

RESULTS
The prevalence and incidence of BVFL increased from 7.07% and 5.29%, respectively, in 2006 to 12.47% and 7.98% in 2015. Compared with the non-BVFL population, patients with BVFL were more likely to be female, reside in an urban area, and have gastroesophageal reflux disease. There was no significant change in the incidence of surgical treatment during the study period (around 6000 per year); however, the surgical treatment rate decreased from 19.29% to 8.38%. The probability of undergoing surgical treatment for BVFL was higher in men, those aged 50-59 years, and those in the lowest quartile for income, except for the medical aid group.

CONCLUSION
In Korea, there was an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with BVFL and a decrease in the operation rate for this condition between 2006 and 2015. Diagnosis of BVFL varied significantly based on income and sex; however, the only variable affecting the operation rate was patient age.

Jung|Soo Yeon|SY|
Han|Kyung-do|KD|
Chun|Mi Sun|MS|
Chung|Sung Min|SM|
Kim|Han Su|HS|

Benign vocal fold lesions—Korea—Incidence—Population-based—Nationwide


A novel algorithm with differential evolution and coral reef optimization for extreme learning machine training.

Abstract: Extreme learning machine (ELM) is a novel and fast learning method to train single layer feed-forward networks. However due to the demand for larger number of hidden neurons, the prediction speed of ELM is not fast enough. An evolutionary based ELM with differential evolution (DE) has been proposed to reduce the prediction time of original ELM. But it may still get stuck at local optima. In this paper, a novel algorithm hybridizing DE and metaheuristic coral reef optimization (CRO), which is called differential evolution coral reef optimization (DECRO), is proposed to balance the explorative power and exploitive power to reach better performance. The thought and the implement of DECRO algorithm are discussed in this article with detail. DE, CRO and DECRO are applied to ELM training respectively. Experimental results show that DECRO-ELM can reduce the prediction time of original ELM, and obtain better performance for training ELM than both DE and CRO.

Differential evolution coral reef optimization (DECRO)


Factors influencing the negotiation of ethnic identity among 1.5 and second-generation Asian migrants: A mixed methods systematic review.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
Whilst positive ethnic identity is associated with higher self-esteem, prosocial tendencies and peer acceptance, it is inversely associated with depressive symptoms and drug use among ethnic minority individuals. Negotiating ethnic identity is particularly challenging for 1.5-and second-generation migrant populations, finding themselves positioned between host culture and culture of origin. To inform positive youth development policies and practices, this systematic literature review aimed to identify factors influencing the negotiation of ethnic identity for 1.5-and second-generation Asian migrants living in high-income countries.

METHODS
A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted of peer-reviewed literature in four databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychInfo and Scopus. Articles were screened by title, abstract and full text to ascertain whether they met the inclusion criteria. Quality of studies were assessed using MMAT Version 2011. Mixed-method thematic analysis was used to synthesis the data according to Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model.

RESULTS
Forty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The review findings confirm a wide range of factors influencing the negotiation of ethnic identity from three systems in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model, most commonly from the macrosystem (e.g stereotyping), followed by microsystem (e.g family) and individual factors (e.g heritage language use).

CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate negotiating ethnic identity can be challenging and difficult, where the culture/norms of country of origin and host country play a significant role. Positive youth development policies and practices need to reflect these wide range of factors. More research is needed in countries where data is not available to facilitate greater response to needs of this increasing population group.

Dizon|Lovely|L| Selak|Vanessa|V| Ramalho|Rodrigo|R| Peiris-John|Roshini|R|

Ethnic identity
Second-generation
Asian
1.5-generation
Adolescence


Findings from Studies Are Congruent with Obesity Having a Viral Origin, but What about Obesity-Related NAFLD?

Abstract: Infection has recently started receiving greater attention as an unusual causative/inducing factor of obesity. Indeed, the biological plausibility of infectobesity includes direct roles of some viruses to reprogram host metabolism toward a more lipogenic and adipogenic status. Furthermore, the probability that humans may exchange microbiota components (virome/virobiota) points out that the altered response of IFN and other cytokines, which surfaces as a central mechanism for adipogenesis and obesity-associated immune suppression, is due to the fact that gut microbiota uphold intrinsic IFN signaling. Last but not least, the adaptation of both host immune and metabolic system under persistent viral infections play a central role in these phenomena. We hereby discuss the possible link between adenovirus and obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The mechanisms of adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) involvement in hepatic steatosis/NAFLD consist in reducing leptin gene expression and insulin sensitivity, augmenting glucose uptake, activating the lipogenic and pro-inflammatory pathways in adipose tissue, and increasing the level of macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, all of these ultimately leading to chronic inflammation and altered lipid metabolism. Moreover, by reducing leptin expression and secretion Ad-36 may have in turn an obesogenic effect through increased food intake or decreased energy expenditure via altered fat metabolism. Finally, Ad-36 is involved in upregulation of cAMP, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and p38 signaling pathways, downregulation of Wnt10b expression, increased expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-beta, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 with consequential lipid accumulation.

obesity
NAFLD
adenovirus
chronic low-grade inflammation
viral persistence


The genetics underlying acquired long QT syndrome: impact for genetic screening.

Abstract:
AIMS
Acquired long QT syndrome (aLQTS) exhibits QT prolongation and Torsades de Pointes ventricular tachycardia triggered by drugs, hypokalaemia, or bradycardia. Sometimes, QTc remains prolonged despite elimination of triggers, suggesting the presence of an underlying genetic substrate. In aLQTS subjects, we assessed the prevalence of mutations in major LQTS genes and their probability of being carriers of a disease-causing genetic variant based on clinical factors.

METHODS AND RESULTS
We screened for the five major LQTS genes among 188 aLQTS probands (55 ± 20 years, 140 females) from Japan, France, and Italy. Based on control QTc (without triggers), subjects were designated 'true aLQTS' (QTc within normal limits) or 'unmasked cLQTS' (all others) and compared for QTc and genetics with 2379 members of 1010 genotyped congenital long QT syndrome (cLQTS) families. Cardiac symptoms were present in 86% of aLQTS subjects. Control QTc of aLQTS was 453 ± 39 ms, shorter than in cLQTS (478 ± 46 ms, P < 0.001) and longer than in non-carriers (406 ± 26 ms, P < 0.001). In 53 (28%) aLQTS subjects, 47 disease-causing mutations were identified. Compared with cLQTS, in 'true aLQTS', KCNQ1 mutations were much less frequent than KCNH2 (20% [95% CI 7-41%] vs. 64% [95% CI 43-82%], P < 0.01). A clinical score based on control QTc, age, and symptoms allowed identification of patients more likely to carry LQTS mutations.

CONCLUSION
A third of aLQTS patients carry cLQTS mutations, those on KCNH2 being more common. The probability of being a carrier of cLQTS disease-causing mutations can be predicted by simple clinical parameters, thus allowing possibly cost-effective genetic testing leading to cascade screening for identification of additional at-risk family members.

Itoh|Hideki|H|
Crotti|Lia|L|
Aiba|Takeshi|T|
Spazzolini|Carla|C|
Denjoy|Isabelle|I|
Fressart|Véronique|V|
Hayashi|Kenshi|K|
Nakajima|Tadashi|T|
Ohno|Seiko|S|
Makiyama|Takeru|T|
Wu|Jie|J|
Hasegawa|Kanae|K|
Mastantuono|Elisa|E|
Dagradi|Federica|F|
Pedrazzini|Matteo|M|
Yamagishi|Masakazu|M|
Berthet|Myriam|M|
Murakami|Yoshitaka|Y|
Shimizu|Wataru|W|
Guicheney|Pascale|P|
Schwartz|Peter J|PJ|
Horie|Minoru|M|

Genetics
Acquired long QT syndrome
Congenital long QT syndrome
Drug-induced long QT syndrome


Limited Scope for Group Coordination in Stylistic Variations of Kolam Art.

Abstract: In large, complex societies, assorting with others with similar social norms or behaviors can facilitate successful coordination and cooperation. The ability to recognize others with shared norms or behaviors is thus assumed to be under selection. As a medium of communication, human art might reflect fitness-relevant information on shared norms and behaviors of other individuals thus facilitating successful coordination and cooperation. Distinctive styles or patterns of artistic design could signify migration history, different groups with a shared interaction history due to spatial proximity, as well as individual-level expertise and preferences. In addition, cultural boundaries may be even more pronounced in a highly diverse and socially stratified society. In the current study, we focus on a large corpus of an artistic tradition called kolam that is produced by women from Tamil Nadu in South India (N = 3, 139 kolam drawings from 192 women) to test whether stylistic variations in art can be mapped onto caste boundaries, migration and neighborhoods. Since the kolam art system with its sequential drawing decisions can be described by a Markov process, we characterize variation in styles of art due to different facets of an artist's identity and the group affiliations, via hierarchical Bayesian statistical models. Our results reveal that stylistic variations in kolam art only weakly map onto caste boundaries, neighborhoods, and regional origin. In fact, stylistic variations or patterns in art are dominated by artist-level variation and artist expertise. Our results illustrate that although art can be a medium of communication, it is not necessarily marked by group affiliation. Rather, artistic behavior in this context seems to be primarily a behavioral domain within which individuals carve out a unique niche for themselves to differentiate themselves from others. Our findings inform discussions on the evolutionary role of art for group coordination by encouraging researchers to use systematic methods to measure the mapping between specific objects or styles onto groups.

Tran|N-Han|NH|
Kucharský|Šimon|Š|
Waring|Timothy M|TM|
Atmaca|Silke|S|
Beheim|Bret A|BA|

coordination
art
cooperation
Bayesian inference
ethnic markers
material culture


What are we injecting with our drugs?

Abstract: In preparation for a case, an anaesthetist opened a 20 ml glass vial of propofol and aspirated the propofol into a syringe via a blunt drawing-up needle. Increased resistance was felt with aspiration. On inspection, a shard of glass was found at the tip of the drawing-up needle. The shard was presumed to be from the propofol ampoule, and to have fallen into the solution upon snapping open its glass tip. This illustrative case raises the issue of contamination of drugs by particles introduced during the drawing-up process. It also highlights the possibility that during the drawing-up process, intravenous drugs may become contaminated not just with particles, but with microorganisms on the surface of the particles. In this article, we discuss relevant recent research of the implications of this type of drug contamination. We draw attention to the need for meticulous care in drawing up and administering intravenous drugs during anaesthesia, particularly propofol.

Merry|A F|AF|
Gargiulo|D A|DA|
Fry|L E|LE|


Production and characterization of bio-mix fuel produced from the mixture of raw oil feedstock, and its effects on performance and emission analysis in DICI diesel engine.

Abstract: Bio-mix is a fuel derived from the raw mixture of different non-edible oils to enhance the saturation level. In this study, raw oil mixture was transesterified to form bio-mix methyl ester (BMME). Fuel properties of BMME was measured and results showed that saturated fatty acids (SFA), cetane number (CN), and oxidation stability (OS) were increased, whereas density, viscosity, HHV, flash point, iodine number, and acid number were decreased for BMME as compared to individual biodiesels. Brake specific energy consumption (BSEC) of BMME was higher than diesel fuel but similar to individual biodiesel, while brake thermal efficiency (BTE) was lower than diesel fuel but higher than the individual biodiesel. (NOx) and CO2 emission of BMME was found lower (approximately 20%); meanwhile, smoke opacity and CO emission biodiesel increased compared to diesel fuel, whereas (HC) emission of BMME was lower at low load condition but it is increased at high load. Bio-mix fuel could be the good replacement of diesel fuel.

Bio-mix
Performance and emission
Non-edible oils
Transesterification


Peliosis hepatis mimicking cancer: A case report.

Abstract: Peliosis hepatis (PH) is a rare condition characterized by the presence of blood-filled cavities within the liver. The etiology of PH remains unknown, but it has been reported to be associated with infections or malignancies. However, the cause of PH is not clear in 20-50% of patients. The current study presents the case of a 19-year-old male who presented with right upper quadrant pain that had lasted for three days. The patient was a student with no previous medical history. Contrast-enhanced computer tomography (CT) and ultrasonography showed a neoplasm in the right liver and a diagnosis of primary liver cancer was made due to the manifestation of the disease and the results of physical tests. The individual was treated successfully with an irregular right hemihepatectomy and was in good health at 6-months post-surgery. A tissue specimen was obtained and determined to be PH by pathological examination and immunohistochemistry analysis. Consequently, a diagnosis of PH must be considered in cases like this.

peliosis hepatis
diagnosis
primary liver cancer


Combined treatments of chitosan and sodium silicate to inhibit Alternaria alternata pathogens of postharvest winter jujube.

Abstract: Alternaria alternata is a pathogenic fungus that infects jujube fruit and leads to serious economic losses. In this paper, the antifungal activity of chitosan combined with sodium silicate against A. alternata in vitro and in vivo was investigated, and the possible antimicrobial mechanisms were explored. Results showed that the spore germination and colony expansion of A. alternata were significantly inhibited by chitosan. Chitosan treatment induced the leakages of intercellular electrolytes, nucleic acids, and soluble protein of A. alternata. Meanwhile, chitosan damaged the cell morphology and membrane integrity of A. alternata. The combination of chitosan and sodium silicate was more effective than chitosan alone. In addition, the effect of chitosan and sodium silicate could significantly decrease natural rot rate and delay lesion expansion of winter jujube. Collectively, chitosan combined with sodium silicate had the potential to control postharvest diseases of fruit caused by A. alternata.

Zhang|Jingru|J| Cheng|Xiaowen|X| Chang|Lulu|L| Zhang|Lele|L| Zhang|Shaoying|S|0000-0003-3093-0025

Antifungal activity
Membrane integrity
Postharvest disease
Alternaria rot


Contextual Regulation of TGF-β Signaling in Liver Cancer.

Abstract: Primary liver cancer is one of the leading causes for cancer-related death worldwide. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that signals through membrane receptors and intracellular Smad proteins, which enter the nucleus upon receptor activation and act as transcription factors. TGF-β inhibits liver tumorigenesis in the early stage by inducing cytostasis and apoptosis, but promotes malignant progression in more advanced stages by enhancing cancer cell survival, EMT, migration, invasion and finally metastasis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning the multi-faceted roles of TGF-β in liver cancer has become a persistent pursuit during the last two decades. Contextual regulation fine-tunes the robustness, duration and plasticity of TGF-β signaling, yielding versatile albeit specific responses. This involves multiple feedback and feed-forward regulatory loops and also the interplay between Smad signaling and non-Smad pathways. This review summarizes the known regulatory mechanisms of TGF-β signaling in liver cancer, and how they channel, skew and even switch the actions of TGF-β during cancer progression.

Tu|Shuo|S| Huang|Wei|W| Huang|Chunhong|C| Luo|Zhijun|Z| Yan|Xiaohua|X|

D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

contextual regulation
TGF-β signaling
liver cancer
Smad
cytostasis
hepatocellular carcinoma


CD95L Inhibition Impacts Gemcitabine-Mediated Effects and Non-Apoptotic Signaling of TNF-α and TRAIL in Pancreatic Tumor Cells.

Abstract: Despite the potential apoptotic functions, the CD95/CD95L system can stimulate survival as well as pro-inflammatory signaling, particularly through the activation of NFκB. This holds true for the TNF/TNFR and the TRAIL/TRAILR systems. Thus, signaling pathways of these three death ligands converge, yet the specific impact of the CD95/CD95L system in this crosstalk has not been well studied. In this study, we show that gemcitabine stimulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL6 and IL8, under the influence of the CD95/CD95L system and the pharmacological inhibitor, sCD95Fc, substantially reduced the expression in two PDAC cell lines, PancTuI-luc and A818-4. The stem cell phenotype was reduced when induced upon gemcitabine as well by sCD95Fc. Moreover, TNF-α as well as TRAIL up-regulate the expression of CD95 and CD95L in both cell lines. Conversely, we detected a significant inhibitory effect of sCD95Fc on the expression of both IL8 and IL6 induced upon TNF-α and TRAIL stimulation. In vivo, CD95L inhibition reduced xeno-transplanted recurrent PDAC growth. Thus, our findings indicate that inhibition of CD95 signaling altered the chemotherapeutic effects of gemcitabine, not only by suppressing the pro-inflammatory responses that arose from the CD95L-positive tumor cells but also from the TNF-α and TRAIL signaling in a bi-lateral crosstalk manner.

Rashid|Khalid|K| Röder|Christian|C| Goumas|Freya|F| Egberts|Jan-Hendrik|JH| Kalthoff|Holger|H|

death ligands
gemcitabine
PDAC
chemoresistance
metastasis


Strong Coupling of Folded Phonons with Plasmons in 6H-SiC Micro/Nanocrystals.

Abstract: Silicon carbide (SiC) has a large number of polytypes of which 3C-, 4H-, 6H-SiC are most common. Since different polytypes have different energy gaps and electrical properties, it is important to identify and characterize various SiC polytypes. Here, Raman scattering is performed on 6H-SiC micro/nanocrystal (MNC) films to investigate all four folded transverse optic (TO) and longitudinal optic (LO) modes. With increasing film thickness, the four folded TO modes exhibit the same frequency downshift, whereas the four folded LO modes show a gradually-reduced downshift. For the same film thickness, all the folded modes show larger frequency downshifts with decreasing MNC size. Based on plasmons on MNCs, these folded modes can be attributed to strong coupling of the folded phonons with plasmons which show different strengths for the different folded modes while changing the film thickness and MNC size. This work provides a useful technique to identify SiC polytypes from Raman scattering.

Huang|Yao|Y| Yang|Run|R| Xiong|Shijie|S| Chen|Jian|J| Wu|Xinglong|X|0000-0002-2787-3069

folded phonons
SiC micro/nanocrystals
plasmon–phonon coupling


Morale in very old people who have had a stroke.

Abstract: Stroke incidence increases with age and may impact on morale. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of stroke among individuals aged 85 years or older in Northern Sweden and Western Finland and to evaluate factors associated with morale among those who have had a stroke compared with those without a stroke history. This population-based, cross-sectional study included 708 individuals (504 women and 204 men) aged 85 years and older (range 85-107). The study was conducted through structured interviews during home visits and from reviews of medical records, where demographic data and health-related factors were collected. The 17-item Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) was used to assess morale. Stroke-prevalence was 22% (156 of 708) in the study population. Ninety-one of 465 participants who could answer PGCMS questions had had a stroke. Those with stroke had significantly lower PGCMS scores than those without (10.9±3.8 SD vs. 12.1±3.0 SD, p-value 0.008), but 38.5% had high morale. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that low morale was independently associated with depression, angina pectoris and impaired hearing among those with stroke and another multiple linear regression, among those without a stroke history, showed that low morale was independently associated with depression, pain and poor nutritional status. A large proportion of very old have had stroke which is associated with reduced morale. Low morale among those with stroke was independently associated with depression, angina pectoris and impaired hearing which could be the focus for future intervention studies.

D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

Morale
Stroke
Aged
80 and older
Quality of life
Sweden and Finland


Two case reports of continued progression of chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease without concurrent systemic comorbidities treated by amniotic membrane transplantation.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) is an ocular comorbidity of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) that usually occurs concurrently with systemic manifestations. Failure to detect and treat oGVHD in its early stages may lead to progression of ocular signs and symptoms leading to oGVHD that is refractory to conventional treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION
We report the clinical course of a 19-year-old male and a 59-year-old female with severe and progressive chronic oGVHD without concurrent systemic signs of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Although their systemic conditions had been stable, both suffered from severe oGVHD and were referred to our clinic. Both cases exhibited marked improvement in conjunctival inflammation and fibrotic changes after amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT). Both cases underwent keratoplasty eventually to stabilize ocular surface conditions and to improve visual function.

CONCLUSIONS
We reported the clinical outcomes of 2 cases of chronic oGVHD without concurrent systemic comorbidities that were treated with AMT. The clinician should be aware that cGVHD may persist in target organs even in the absence of concurrent systemic comorbidities following seemingly successful systemic treatment. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential in the early detection and therapeutic intervention for chronic oGVHD.

D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Amniotic membrane transplantation
Inflammation
Dry eye disease
Fibrosis
Severe ocular GVHD


Point of impact: the effect of size and speed on puncture mechanics.

Abstract: The use of high-speed puncture mechanics for prey capture has been documented across a wide range of organisms, including vertebrates, arthropods, molluscs and cnidarians. These examples span four phyla and seven orders of magnitude difference in size. The commonality of these puncture systems offers an opportunity to explore how organisms at different scales and with different materials, morphologies and kinematics perform the same basic function. However, there is currently no framework for combining kinematic performance with cutting mechanics in biological puncture systems. Our aim here is to establish this framework by examining the effects of size and velocity in a series of controlled ballistic puncture experiments. Arrows of identical shape but varying in mass and speed were shot into cubes of ballistic gelatine. Results from high-speed videography show that projectile velocity can alter how the target gel responds to cutting. Mixed models comparing kinematic variables and puncture patterns indicate that the kinetic energy of a projectile is a better predictor of penetration than either momentum or velocity. These results form a foundation for studying the effects of impact on biological puncture, opening the door for future work to explore the influence of morphology and material organization on high-speed cutting dynamics.

Anderson|P S L|PS|
LaCosse|J|J|
Pankow|M|M|

puncture
prey capture
cutting
velocity
energy


A comparison of two mail-based strategies to recruit older cancer survivors into a randomized controlled trial of a lifestyle intervention.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
To compare response rates to business letter versus greeting card invitations used to recruit older cancer survivors to a randomized controlled clinical trial of a lifestyle intervention METHODS: Capitalizing upon recruitment efforts for a lifestyle intervention trial among older cancer survivors, we explored response rates to study invitations formatted as greeting cards versus standard business letters. Survivors were identified from cancer registries and medical records and randomly assigned with strata defined by gender and racial/ethnicity to one-of-the-two invitations. Both groups received telephone follow-up.

RESULTS
Contact was verified among 708 survivors with an average age of 72 years with most being non-Hispanic White (NHW), urban dwelling, and female. Survivors assigned to the business letter (n = 360) as compared to the greeting card (n = 348) were significantly more likely to express interest in participation (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.11-2.70). With the exception of racial/ethnic minorities (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.26-2.11), all other subgroups favored the business letter with significance observed in females (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.00-2.74), NHWs (OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.29-3.49), and rural dwellers (OR 3.61; 95% CI 1.49-8.76). Moreover, the business letter costs were substantially lower than the card.

CONCLUSION
Clinical trial recruitment is significantly more effective if solicitations are formatted as standard business letters as compared to greeting cards, though this may not generalize to racial/ethnic minorities where more research is warranted.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS
These study findings are not only valuable to researchers but also have the potential to improve recruitment and engagement of older cancer survivors in clinical trials.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
Harvest for Health for in Older Cancer Survivors, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02985411.

Warnock|Amelia C|AC|
Kaur|Harleen|H|
Buckman|J Ryan|JR|
Hoenemeyer|Teri|T|
Demark-Wahnefried|Wendy|W|

Recruitment
Cancer survivors
Lifestyle
Clinical trials
Enrollment


Is Decreased Mean Platelet Volume in Allergic Airway Diseases Associated With Extent of the Inflammation Area?

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) level and the extent of airway inflammation in allergic airway diseases and in subgroups by comparison of inflammatory markers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective examination was made of 250 patients with allergic airway disease in the symptomatic phase, who had been newly diagnosed or who had abandoned treatment for at least 6 months. These patients were separated into 3 groups of asthma without allergic rhinitis (A - AR, n = 107), asthma with allergic rhinitis (A + AR, n = 83) and allergic rhinitis without asthma (AR - A, n = 60).

RESULTS
The MPV values of the study groups were found to be significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.001). MPV was determined to be negatively correlated with white blood cells, neutrophil count, platelet count and immunoglobulin E level in the study groups. The lowest MPV value was determined in the A + AR group (8.035 ± 1.05fL), which had the most extensive airway involvement, and the highest MPV value was determined in the AR - A group (8.109 ± 1.11fL) with the least airway involvement. MPV level sensitivity and the specificity of the best cutoff level were 74.5% and 40.8%, respectively. The cutoff level of 8.18fL for MPV level was found to have moderate sensitivity and low specificity for predicting pulmonary embolism.

CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed that MPV is lower in allergic airway diseases and a negative correlation was determined between MPV and inflammation markers but no statistically significant difference was determined between MPV and extent of the inflammation area.

Mean platelet volume
Platelet
Inflammation
Asthma
Allergic rhinitis


Altered brain arginine metabolism in a mouse model of tauopathy.

Abstract: Tauopathies consist of intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated and aggregated microtubule protein tau, which remains a histopathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia. L-Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid with a number of bioactive molecules. Its downstream metabolites putrescine, spermidine, and spermine (polyamines) are critically involved in microtubule assembly and stabilization. Recent evidence implicates altered arginine metabolism in the pathogenesis of AD. Using high-performance liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric assays, the present study systematically determined the tissue concentrations of L-arginine and its nine downstream metabolites in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, parahippocampal region, striatum, thalamus, and cerebellum in male PS19 mice-bearing human tau P301S mutation at 4, 8, and 12-14 months of age. As compared to their wild-type littermates, PS19 mice displayed early and/or prolonged increases in L-ornithine and altered polyamine levels with age. There were also genotype- and age-related changes in L-arginine, L-citrulline, glutamine, glutamate, and γ-aminobutyric acid in a region- and/or chemical-specific manner. The results demonstrate altered brain arginine metabolism in PS19 mice with the most striking changes in L-ornithine, polyamines, and glutamate, indicating a shift of L-arginine metabolism to favor the arginase-polyamine pathway. Given the role of polyamines in maintaining microtubule stability, the functional significance of these changes remains to be explored in future research.

Vemula|Pranav|P|
Jing|Yu|Y|
Zhang|Hu|H|
Hunt|Jerry B|JB|
Sandusky-Beltran|Leslie A|LA|
Lee|Daniel C|DC|
Liu|Ping|P|

Arginine metabolism
Tauopathy
Polyamines
Hippocampus
L-Ornithine
Glutamate


Utility of Serum Albumin for Predicting Incident Metabolic Syndrome according to Hyperuricemia.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Serum albumin and uric acid have been positively linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the association of MetS incidence with the combination of uric acid and albumin levels has not been investigated. We explored the association of albumin and uric acid with the risk of incident MetS in populations divided according to the levels of these two parameters.

METHODS
In this retrospective longitudinal study, 11,613 non-MetS participants were enrolled among 24,185 individuals who had undergone at least four annual check-ups between 2006 and 2012. The risk of incident MetS was analyzed according to four groups categorized by the sex-specific medians of serum albumin and uric acid.

RESULTS
During 55,407 person-years of follow-up, 2,439 cases of MetS developed. The risk of incident MetS increased as the uric acid category advanced in individuals with lower or higher serum albumin categories with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.386 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.236 to 1.554) or 1.314 (95% CI, 1.167 to 1.480). However, the incidence of MetS increased with higher albumin levels only in participants in the lower uric acid category with a HR of 1.143 (95% CI, 1.010 to 1.294).

CONCLUSION
Higher levels of albumin were associated with an increased risk of incident MetS only in individuals with lower uric acid whereas higher levels of uric acid were positively linked to risk of incident MetS regardless of albumin level.

Albumins
Metabolic syndrome
Uric acid
Longitudinal studies


The effects of phytase and xylanase supplementation on performance and egg quality in laying hens.

Abstract: 1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of phytase and xylanase and their interaction on laying hen performance, egg quality, phosphorus (P) digestibility, phytate breakdown, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and peptide YY concentration. 2. Two hundred and forty hens were allocated to cages at 22 weeks of age based on a 3 × 2 arrangement with phytase (0, 300 or 1500 FTU/kg) and xylanase (0 or 12 000 BXU/kg) as factors. 3. Phytase increased hen-day production (P < 0.05), daily egg mass (P < 0.05) and P digestibility with increasing levels of phytase (P < 0.001). Phytase fed at 1500 FTU/kg reduced IP6 and IP5 and increased myo-inositol concentration in gizzard digesta (P < 0.05). Phytase fed at 300 FTU/kg reduced IP6 in ileal digesta (P < 0.05); however, IP6 and IP5 were further reduced and myo-inositol increased when phytase was added at 1500 FTU/kg (P < 0.05). 4. Xylanase improved feed efficiency when phytase was fed at 300 FTU/kg (P < 0.05). In the absence of phytase, xylanase reduced dry matter and Ca digestibilities (P < 0.05). 5. Neither phytase nor xylanase had an effect on peptide YY or caecal VFA concentrations.

Taylor|A E|AE|
Bedford|M R|MR|
Pace|S C|SC|
Miller|H M|HM|

D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

phytase
xylanase
laying hens
phosphorus
Digestibility
egg production


Evaluation of nutritional composition of Citrullus lanatus Linn. (watermelon) seed and biochemical assessment of the seed oil in rats.

Abstract: The present study investigated the nutritional composition of watermelon seeds and the effect of extracted oil on the biochemical parameters in rats after 28 days of oral administration. The watermelon seeds showed considerable proximate values but with less moisture, crude fiber, ash, and phytochemical components. The maximal dose of 50 ml/kg of watermelon seed oil (WMSO) showed no sign of toxicity in rats. WMSO significantly decreased serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, ALT, and MDA but enhanced the level of HDL, VLDL, SOD, and CAT without compromising the liver integrity. For glucose tolerance, a positive oral glucose-lowering was observed. The fatty acid analysis showed the presence of three major fatty acids; 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (52.32%), n-hexadecenoic acid (21.23%), and oleic acid (10.11%) with good oxidative stability and fatty acid ratio. The outcome of this study suggests that the seeds and oil from watermelon could have a beneficial effect on man. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Plant-based oils have gained significant interest globally as a source of food, cosmetics, and compounds with therapeutic potential against certain human diseases. The watermelon seed oil is a rich source of oleic acid, linoleic, and palmitic acid. These prominent biologically active fatty acid components have contributed to the robust biochemical effects observed in this study. Based on the data obtained in this work on the nutritional analysis of the watermelon seed and potent antioxidative capacity, improved liver biomarkers, good oxidative stability, and the fatty acid ratio of WMSO, we proposed that consumption of the seed and its oil could offer a cheap and affordable nutraceutical for human benefits. However, we recommend further studies on the biological activity and safety aspect of watermelon seed oil for its long-term usage.

proximate
watermelon seed oil
antioxidants
GC-MS analysis
histology
liver function
mineral elements


Intravitreal Injection of 1.25% Povidone Iodine Followed by Vitrectomy Using 0.025% Povidone Iodine Irrigation for Treating Endophthalmitis.

Abstract:
Purpose
To investigate the safety and effectiveness of intravitreal injection (IVI) of 1.25% povidone iodine (PI) followed by vitrectomy using 0.025% PI irrigation for treating endophthalmitis.

Methods
Prospective case series study. Nine eyes of 8 patients with postoperative or endogenous endophthalmitis treated at the Nihon University Hospital between April 2015 and October 2017 were studied. First, IVI of 0.1 mL/1.25%PI was conducted, followed by anterior chamber irrigation and vitrectomy using 0.025%PI irrigation solution. Corneal epithelial damage, anterior chamber inflammation, and vitreous inflammation were assessed and fundus examinations were performed, using a slit-lamp microscope and indirect ophthalmoscopy. A specular microscope, Goldmann perimetry, and electroretinography (ERG) were also used.

Results
In all but case 7, endophthalmitis resolved rapidly and good visual acuity was maintained. No adverse events were noted. Furthermore, the perioperative ERG showed improvements in the oscillatory potentials amplitudes on ERG and flicker ERG, as well as in the implicit time of the a-wave, suggesting functional recovery in the retinal outer and inner layers after therapy.

Conclusions
IVI of PI followed by vitrectomy was thought to be a safe and effective treatment for endophthalmitis.

Translational Relevance
We succeeded in proving the clinical safety of IVI of PI followed by vitrectomy with PI irrigation as well as previous experimental reports. PI is available in world widely, therefore this method will be optimal treatment for endophthalmitis.

Nakashizuka|Hiroyuki|H| Shimada|Hiroyuki|H| Hattori|Takayuki|T| Tanaka|Koji|K| Kitagawa|Yorihisa|Y| Shinoda|Kei|K|

intravitreal injection
povidone iodine
vitrectomy
endophthalmitis
electroretinogram


Sexuality and Gender Issues in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract: This article reviews relevant literature on sexuality in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Findings reveal a growing awareness of desire for sexual and intimate relationships in individuals with ASD. However, core impairments of ASD lead to difficulties establishing requisite knowledge and skills necessary to attain a healthy sexuality and facilitate relationships. Consequently, individuals with ASD present with increased risk of engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviors and sexual victimization than their typically developing peers. The literature asserts the need to implement effective sexual education programs to assist in development of healthy sexual identity and relationships that meet each individual's needs.

Pecora|Laura A|LA|
Hooley|Merrilyn|M|
Sperry|Laurie|L|
Mesibov|Gary B|GB|
Stokes|Mark A|MA|

D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder
D006801:Humans
D007398:Interpersonal Relations
D010379:Peer Group
D012725:Sexual Behavior
D019529:Sexuality

Sexuality
Gender
Autism
Autism spectrum disorder
Relationships
Sexual functioning
Sexual orientation
Transgender


Alcohol and drug abuse and risky sexual behaviours in young adult women.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
To assess alcohol abuse as a predictor of risky sexual behavior among adolescents and young adult women, a high-risk population for unintended pregnancies.

SUBJECTS
Totally 3163 adolescent and young adult women, 18-29 years, were assessed on sociodemographics, alcohol and drug use and risky sexual behaviors.

INTERVENTIONS
Participants answered a structured questionnaire on their leisure habits, drug and alcohol consumption, contraception and sexual behaviors.

RESULTS
Most of the young adult women perceive that sexuality is an important part of their life but not a main concern (77.6%) and that alcohol removes the barriers to have sex (62.3%). Additionally, 77.0% claimed that contraception had "a lot" (53.4%) and "quite" (23.6%) influence on the quality of their sexuality. However, up to a 38.4% of the interviewed women had had sex without using any contraception and 29.6% of them acknowledged that had taken alcohol and of these, 40.7% said that alcohol was responsible for not using contraception. Alcohol abuse predicted an increase in risky sexual behaviours (4.45 CI: 2.01-9.75, p < 0.0001). The effect of alcohol was independent of age.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that contraception-related behavioural interventions for young adult women should discuss the link between alcohol and sexual risk behavior.

Castelo-Branco|Camil|C| Parera|Nuria|N| Mendoza|Nicolás|N| Pérez-Campos|Ezequiel|E| Lete|Iñaki|I| |||

sexuality
Alcohol abuse
contraception
drug consumption
perceived risk


The spectrum of pathogenic variants of the ATP7B gene in Wilson disease in the Russian Federation.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Wilson's disease (WD) is a rare inherited disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene resulting in copper accumulation in different organs. However, data on ATP7B mutation spectrum in Russia and worldwide are insufficient and contradictory. The objective of the present study was estimation of the frequency of ATP7B gene mutations in the Russian population of WD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
75 WDpatients were examined by next-generation sequencing (NGS). A targeted panel NimbleGen SeqCap EZ Choice: 151012_HG38_CysFib_EZ_HX3 (ROCHE)was designed for analysis of ATP7B gene and possible modifier genes. Retrospective assessment of a diagnostic WD score (Leipzig, 2001) was also performed.

RESULTS
31 mutations in ATP7B gene were detected. Two most frequent mutations were c.3207C > A (51,85% of alleles) and c.3190 G > A (8,64% of alleles). Single rare mutations were detected in 29% of cases. In 96% cases mutations of both copies of the ATP7B were revealed. We also observed 3 novel potentially pathogenic variants which were not previously described (c.1870-8A > G, c.3655A > T (p.Ile1219Phe), c.3036dupC (p.Lys1013fs). For 25% of patients at the time of the manifestation the diagnosis WD could not be established using the earlier proposed diagnostic score. There was a remarkable delay in diagnosis for the majority of patients. Only 33% of patients WD was diagnosed in three months after the first symptoms, 29%patients - in 3-12 months, 30% - in 1-10 years, in 8% - more than 10 years. Generally, clinical appearance of WD may be rather variable at manifestation and genetic profiling at this step is the only way to confirm the presence of WD.

Balashova|Mariya S|MS|
Tuluzanovskaya|Inna G|IG|
Glotov|Oleg S|OS|
Glotov|Andrey S|AS|
Barbitoff|Yury A|YA|
Fedyakov|Mikhail A|MA|
Alaverdian|Diana A|DA|
Ivashchenko|Tatiana E|TE|
Romanova|Olga V|OV|
Sarana|Andrey M|AM|
Scherbak|Sergey G|SG|
Baranov|Vladislav S|VS|
Filimonov|Marat I|MI|
Skalny|Anatoly V|AV|
Zhuchenko|Natalya A|NA|
Ignatova|Tatiana M|TM|
Asanov|Aliy Y|AY|

ATP7B
Wilson's disease
NGS
Targeted panel
Degeneration
Hepatocerebellar


Case Definition of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Resource-Constrained Settings.

Abstract: Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a recognized complication of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). In 2015, the World Health Organization reported 2.2 million new cases of nonbacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB; some of these patients probably had undiagnosed CPA. In October 2016, the Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections convened an international expert panel to develop a case definition of CPA for resource-constrained settings. This panel defined CPA as illness for >3 months and all of the following: 1) weight loss, persistent cough, and/or hemoptysis; 2) chest images showing progressive cavitary infiltrates and/or a fungal ball and/or pericavitary fibrosis or infiltrates or pleural thickening; and 3) a positive Aspergillus IgG assay result or other evidence of Aspergillus infection. The proposed definition will facilitate advancements in research, practice, and policy in lower- and middle-income countries as well as in resource-constrained settings.

Denning|David W|DW|
Page|Iain D|ID|
Chakaya|Jeremiah|J|
Jabeen|Kauser|K|
Jude|Cecilia M|CM|
Cornet|Muriel|M|
Alastruey-Izquierdo|Ana|A|
Bongomin|Felix|F|
Bowyer|Paul|P|
Chakrabarti|Arunaloke|A|
Gago|Sara|S|
Guto|John|J|
Hochhegger|Bruno|B|
Hoenigl|Martin|M|
Irfan|Muhammad|M|
Irurhe|Nicholas|N|
Izumikawa|Koichi|K|
Kirenga|Bruce|B|
Manduku|Veronica|V|
Moazam|Samihah|S|
Oladele|Rita O|RO|
Richardson|Malcolm D|MD|
Tudela|Juan Luis Rodriguez|JLR|
Rozaliyani|Anna|A|
Salzer|Helmut J F|HJF|
Sawyer|Richard|R|
Simukulwa|Nasilele F|NF|
Skrahina|Alena|A|
Sriruttan|Charlotte|C|
Setianingrum|Findra|F|
Wilopo|Bayu A P|BAP|
Cole|Donald C|DC|
Getahun|Haileyesus|H|

D002908:Chronic Disease
D003906:Developing Countries
D006801:Humans
D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D055732:Pulmonary Aspergillosis
D012959:Socioeconomic Factors

resource-constrained settings
Tuberculosis
imaging
Aspergillus
antibody
aspergilloma
developing countries
fungi
tuberculosis and other mycobacteria


Contact allergic cheilitis secondary to latex gloves: a case report.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this report is to present a rare case of allergic chelitis secondary to latex in an elderly diabetic patient. There are very few reported cases of allergic cheilitis in literature. Most of the reported cases of allergic chelitis were secondary to cosmetics, tooth pastes or impression materials. Few cases of rubber dam induced allergic cheilitis and stomatitis reported.

METHODS
Since the patient was diabetic on insulin therapy and belonged to the elderly age group, utmost caution was observed while performing diagnostic tests and treatment procedures. The use test was performed to detect the allergen (latex) because of short contact time to the skin surface.

RESULTS
The patient was followed-up for a period of eight months, complete healing of the lesions was witnessed. The patient has not reported of any lesions later.

CONCLUSIONS
Appropriate diagnostic test and interdisciplinary approach in consultation with medical specialists would be ideal for the management of allergic cheilitis especially in diabetic elderly patients.

Shetty|Shishir Ram|SR|
Rangare|Anusha|A|
Babu|Subhas|S|
Rao|Prasanna|P|

cheilitis
elderly
allergic contact dermatitis
dental care for aged
diabetic complications.
latex hypersensitivity


A 4-Week Electronic-Mentoring Employment Intervention for Youth With Physical Disabilities: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Youth with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty and be unemployed compared with youth without disabilities. Such trends are often a result of a lack of support, inaccessible jobs, environmental barriers, and discriminatory attitudes toward people with disabilities. Youth with disabilities also face barriers in accessing vocational preparation programs. One encouraging way that could help address challenges that youth encounter is by providing support through electronic mentoring (e-mentoring).

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of a 4-week Web-based peer e-mentoring employment intervention for youth with physical disabilities.

METHODS
We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate our intervention, Empowering youth towards employment. Participants included youth aged 15 to 25 years who were randomly assigned to an experimental (mentored) or control (nonmentored) group. Our intervention involved having trained youth mentors (ie, near peers who also had a disability) lead Web-based discussion forums while offering peer support and resources, which involved 12 modules (3 topics a week for 4 weeks). Primary outcomes focused on implementation (ie, feasibility and acceptability), whereas secondary outcomes focused on effectiveness (ie, measures of self-determination, career maturity, and social support).

RESULTS
A total of 28 youth (mean age 19.62, SD 3.53; 14/28, 50% female) completed the RCT in 3 intervention groups and 2 control groups (intervention n=18, control n=10). Participants reported satisfaction with the program and that it was feasible and acceptable. Youth's mean engagement level with the program was 6.44 (SD 2.33) for the experimental group and 5.56 (SD 3.53) for controls. Participants in the intervention group did not demonstrate any significant improvements in social support, career maturity, or self-determination compared with those in the control group. No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS
The Empowering youth towards employment e-mentoring intervention needs further testing with a larger sample and different length of formats to understand how it may have an impact on employment outcomes for youth with disabilities.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02522507; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02522507 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/77a3T4qrE).

youth
mentor
social support
occupational therapy
rehabilitation


International Barcode of Life: Evolution of a global research community.

Abstract: The 6th International Barcode of Life Conference (Guelph, Canada, 18-21 August 2015), themed Barcodes to Biomes, showcases the latest developments in DNA barcoding research and its diverse applications. The meeting also provides a venue for a global research community to share ideas and to initiate collaborations. All plenary and contributed abstracts are being published as an open-access special issue of Genome. Here, I use a comparison with the 3rd Conference (Mexico City, 2009) to highlight 10 recent and emerging trends that are apparent among the contributed abstracts. One of the outstanding trends is the rising proportion of abstracts that focus upon multiple socio-economically important applications of DNA barcoding, including studies of agricultural pests, quarantine and invasive species, wildlife forensics, disease vectors, biomonitoring of ecosystem health, and marketplace surveys evaluating the authenticity of seafood products and medicinal plants. Other key movements include the use of barcoding and metabarcoding approaches for dietary analyses-and for studies of food webs spanning three or more trophic levels-as well as the spread of next-generation sequencing methods in multiple contexts. In combination with the rising taxonomic and geographic scope of many barcoding iniatives, these developments suggest that several important questions in biology are becoming tractable. "What is this specimen on an agricultural shipment?", "Who eats whom in this whole food web?", and even "How many species are there?" are questions that may be answered in time periods ranging from a few years to one or a few decades. The next phases of DNA barcoding may expand yet further into prediction of community shifts with climate change and improved management of biological resources.

evolution
conference
DNA barcoding
next-generation sequencing
applications socioéconomiques
codage à barres chez les plantes
codage à barres de l’ADN
congrès
ecology
ethnobotanique
ethnobotany genomics
génomique
marker selection
market substitution
plant barcoding
research trends
socio-economic applications
substitution de produits
sélection de marqueurs
séquençage de nouvelle génération
tendances en recherche
écologie
évolution

P P P P M M U U U U M U U U R R R U U U U U U


Modelling macroinvertebrate and fish biotic indices: From reaches to entire river networks.

Abstract: We modelled three macroinvertebrate (IASPT, EPT number of families and LIFE) and one fish (percentage of salmonid biomass) biotic indices to river networks draining a large region (110,000km2) placed in Northern and Eastern Spain. Models were developed using Random Forest and 26 predictor variables (19 predictors to model macroinvertebrate indices and 22 predictors to model the fish index). Predictor variables were related with different environmental characteristics (water quality, physical habitat characteristics, hydrology, topography, geology and human pressures). The importance and effect of predictors on the 4 biotic indices was evaluated with the IncNodePurity index and partial dependence plots, respectively. Results indicated that the spatial variability of macroinvertebrate and fish indices were mostly dependent on the same environmental variables. They decreased in river reaches affected by high mean annual nitrate concentration (>4mg/l) and temperature (>12°C), with low flow water velocity (<0.4m/s) and aquatic plant communities being dominated by macrophytes. These indices were higher in the Atlantic region than in the Mediterranean. This study provides a continuous image of river biological communities used as indicators, which turns very useful to identify the main sources of change in the ecological status of water bodies and assist both, the integrated catchment management and the identification of river reaches for recovery.

Álvarez-Cabria|Mario|M|
González-Ferreras|Alexia M|AM|
Peñas|Francisco J|FJ|
Barquín|José|J|

IASPT
EPT
Life
Salmonid biomass
Cantabrian region
Ebro River


Lumbar spinal cord microglia exhibited increased activation in aging dogs compared with young adult dogs.

Abstract: Altered microglia function contributes to loss of CNS homeostasis during aging in the brain. Few studies have evaluated age-related alterations in spinal cord microglia. We previously demonstrated that lumbar spinal cord microglial expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was equivalent between aging, neurologically normal dogs and dogs with canine degenerative myelopathy (Toedebusch et al. 2018, Mol Cell Neurosci. 88, 148-157). This unexpected finding suggested that microglia in aging spinal cord have a pro-inflammatory polarization. In this study, we reexamined our microglial results (Toedebusch et al. 2018, Mol Cell Neurosci. 88, 148-157) within the context of aging rather than disease by comparing microglia in aging versus young adult dogs. For both aging and young adult dogs, the density of microglia was significantly higher closest to the motor neuron cell body. However, there was no difference in densities between aging versus young adult dogs at all distances except for the furthest distance analyzed. The number of motor neurons with polarized microglia was higher in aging dogs; yet, the density per motor neuron of arginase-1-expressing microglia was reduced in aging dogs compared with young adult dogs. Finally, aging dogs had increased steady-state mRNA levels for genes consistent with activated microglia compared with young adult dogs. However, altered mRNA levels were limited to the lumbar spinal cord. These data suggested that aging dog spinal cord microglia exhibit regional immunophenotypic differences, which may render lumbar motor neurons more susceptible to age-related pathological insults.

Microglia Aging Canine Neurodegeneration


Microablative fractional CO2 laser for the genitourinary syndrome of menopause: power of 30 or 40 W?

Abstract: This retrospective case-control study aimed to compare 30 versus 40 W power of CO2 laser for the therapy of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Postmenopausal women with severe intensity of dyspareunia and dryness were eligible to be included in this study. Primary outcomes were dyspareunia and dryness. Secondary outcomes were itching/burning, dysuria, frequency and urgency, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), vaginal maturation value (VMV), and Vaginal Health Index Score (VHIS). One laser therapy was applied every month for 3 months. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and 1 month following the 3rd therapy. Fifty (25 per group) women were included in this study. In the 30-W group, mean improvement of dyspareunia, dryness, itching/burning, FSFI, VMV, and VHIS was 6.1 ± 1.7, 6.0 ± 1.9, 5.9 ± 2.0, 16.6 ± 6.7, 29.9 ± 13.0, and 11.0 ± 2.9, respectively (within group comparisons all p < 0.001). In the 40-W group, mean improvement of dyspareunia, dryness, itching/burning, FSFI, VMV, and VHIS was 6.1 ± 1.7, 6.5 ± 2.0, 5.2 ± 2.5, 14.8 ± 7.1, 25.0 ± 13.4, and 10.5 ± 4.1, respectively (within-group comparisons, all p ≤ 0.001). Comparison between 30 and 40 W revealed that mean improvement or presence of all GSM symptoms and clinical signs was not statistically significant different. CO2 laser therapy may improve GSM symptoms and clinical signs. This improvement did not seem to associate to power of 30 or 40 W.

Pitsouni|Eleni|E| Grigoriadis|Themos|T| Falagas|Matthew|M| Tsiveleka|Angeliki|A| Salvatore|Stefano|S| Athanasiou|Stavros|S|

GSM
Dyspareunia
Dryness
Urgency
FSFI
Laser power


Nocturnal enuresis and sleep disordered breathing in primary school children: Potential implications.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
The association between nocturnal enuresis (NE) and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) has been repeatedly reported, but has primarily been focused on clinical cohorts. The purpose of this study, was to assess whether SDB-related symptoms such as snoring and unrefreshing sleep in the morning are associated with NE in a large-scale community school-based survey.

METHODS
A cross-sectional assessment using a standard questionnaire was conducted on nearly 20 000 primary school children (5-12 years old) in Matsuyama, Japan. Associations between NE and the frequencies of snoring and unrefreshing sleep were evaluated using multivariate logistic and regression analyses.

RESULTS
Multivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for enuresis were 1.21 (1.04 to 1.40) and 1.36 (1.07 to 1.73) in boys who snored 1 or 2 nights per week and ≥3 nights per week, respectively (P for trend <0.0001). Those for enuresis were 1.67 (1.41 to 1.99) and 1.96 (1.63 to 2.36) in boys who showed unrefreshing sleep 1 or 2 nights per week and ≥3 nights per week, respectively (P for trend <0.0001). Significant associations between NE and snoring frequency emerged among children who did not report unrefreshing sleep (P-trend for boys and girls were <0.0001 and <0.01, respectively), while significant associations between NE and frequency of unrefreshing sleep were detected among children who snored ≥1 nights per week (P for trend >0.1).

CONCLUSIONS
The pathogenic mechanisms linking snoring and unrefreshing sleep to increased risk of NE are unknown. However, snoring, a surrogate reporter of SDB, is associated with increased urine production, while unrefreshing sleep may result from disrupted sleep facilitating increased sleep pressure and elevated arousal thresholds. Thus, both SDB and unrefreshing sleep are potential independent risk factors of NE in school age children.

Wada|Hiroo|H|0000-0002-0752-3790 Kimura|Manami|M| Tajima|Tomokazu|T| Shirahama|Ryutaro|R| Suzuki|Yohei|Y| Suzuki|Yuka|Y| Hayashi|Toshinari|T| Maruyama|Koutatsu|K| Endo|Motoki|M| Sakamoto|Naoko|N| Ikeda|Ai|A| Gozal|David|D| Tanigawa|Takeshi|T|

enuresis
sleep disordered breathing
primary school
snoring
unrefreshing sleep


Anti-inflammatory effects of cordycepin in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages through Toll-like receptor 4-mediated suppression of mitogen-activated protein kinases and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Abstract: Cordycepin is the main functional component of the Cordyceps species, which has been widely used in traditional Oriental medicine. This compound possesses many pharmacological properties, such as an ability to enhance immune function, as well as antioxidant, antiaging, and anticancer effects. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of cordycepin using a murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cell model. Our data demonstrated that cordycepin suppressed production of proinflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 by inhibiting inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression. Cordycepin also inhibited the release of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1-beta, through downregulation of respective mRNA expression. In addition, pretreatment with cordycepin significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activating protein kinases and attenuated nuclear translocation of NF-κB by LPS, which was associated with abrogation of inhibitor kappa B-alpha degradation. Furthermore, cordycepin potently inhibited the binding of LPS to macrophages and LPS-induced Toll-like receptor 4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 expression. Taken together, the results suggest that the inhibitory effects of cordycepin on LPS-stimulated inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 macrophages are associated with suppression of mitogen-activating protein kinases and activation of NF-κB by inhibition of the Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway.

Choi|Yung Hyun|YH|
Kim|Gi-Young|GY|
Lee|Hye Hyeon|HH|

cordycepin
mitogen-activated protein kinases
NF-κB
Toll-like receptor 4
anti-inflammation


Prenatal omega 3 fatty acid supplementation to a micronutrient imbalanced diet protects brain neurotrophins in both the cortex and hippocampus in the adult rat offspring.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
Our earlier studies show that maternal diets imbalanced in micronutrients like folic acid and vitamin B12 reduced brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the offspring at birth and postnatal d21. This study followed the offspring till 3 months to examine the hypothesis that impaired brain neurotrophins at birth and d21 due to altered maternal micronutrients can be reversed by prenatal omega 3 fatty acid but not a postnatal control diet leading to altered cognition in adult life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Pregnant rats were divided into control and five treatment groups at two levels of folic acid (normal and excess folate) in the presence and absence of vitamin B12 (NFBD, EFB and EFBD). Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation was given to the vitamin B12 deficient groups (NFBDO and EFBDO). Following delivery, 8 dams from each group were shifted to control and remaining continued on same diet.

RESULTS
Imbalance in maternal micronutrients up to 3months decreased DHA, BDNF and NGF in cortex and only BDNF in the hippocampus and impaired cognitive performance. Postnatal control diet normalized BDNF in the cortex but not the hippocampus and also altered cognitive performance. Prenatal omega 3 fatty acid supplementation normalized DHA, BDNF and NGF while long term supplementation was not beneficial only when micronutrients were imbalanced.

CONCLUSION
Patterns established at birth are not totally reversible by postnatal diets and give clues for planning intervention studies for improving brain functioning and cognitive abilities.

Sable|Pratiksha S|PS|
Kale|Anvita A|AA|
Joshi|Sadhana R|SR|

D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects

Developmental Origins of Health and Disease


Frailty Assessment in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Comparison of 3 Diagnostic Instruments.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
Compare the diagnostic performance of FRAIL against Fried Phenotype and Frailty Index (FI), and identify clinical factors associated with pre-frailty/frailty.

DESIGN
Cross-sectional analysis.

SETTING
Community-based screenings in Senior Activity Centres, Residents' Corners and Community Centres in northeast Singapore.

PARTICIPANTS
517 community dwelling participants aged >55 years and ambulant independently (with/ without walking aids) were included in this study. Residents of sheltered or nursing homes, and seniors unable to ambulate at least four meters independently were excluded.

MEASUREMENTS
The multidomain geriatric screen included assessments for social vulnerability, mood, cognition, sarcopenia and nutrition. Participants completed a battery of physical fitness tests for grip strength, gait speed, lower limb strength and power, flexibility, balance and endurance, with overall physical performance represented by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Frailty status was assigned on FRAIL, Fried and 35-item FI.

RESULTS
Prevalence of frailty was 1.3% (FRAIL) to 3.1% (FI). Pre-frailty prevalence ranged from 17.0% (FRAIL) to 51.2% (FI). FRAIL demonstrated poor agreement with FI (kappa=0.171, p<0.0001), and Fried (kappa=0.194, p<0.0001). A lower FRAIL cut-off ≥1 yielded significantly improved AUC of 0.70 (95%CI 0.55 to 0.86, p=0.009) against Fried, and 0.71 (95%CI 0.55 to 0.86, p=0.008) against FI. All 3 frailty measures were diagnostic of impaired physical performance on SPPB, with AUCs ranging from 0.69 on FRAIL to 0.77 on Fried (all p values <0.01). Prevalence of low socio-economic status, depression, malnutrition and sarcopenia increased significantly, while fitness measures of gait speed, balance, and endurance declined progressively across robust, pre-frail and frail on all 3 frailty instruments (p <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that different frailty instruments may capture over-lapping albeit distinct constructs, and thus may not be used interchangeably. FRAIL has utility for quick screening, and any positive response should trigger further assessment, including evaluation for depression, social vulnerability and malnutrition.

Lim|Y J|YJ|
Ng|Y S|YS|
Sultana|R|R|
Tay|E L|EL|
Mah|S M|SM|
Chan|C H N|CHN|
Latib|A B|AB|
Abu-Bakar|H M|HM|
Ho|J C Y|JCY|
Kwek|T H H|THH|
Tay|L|L|


A Layer 3→5 Circuit in Auditory Cortex That Contributes to Pre-pulse Inhibition of the Acoustic Startle Response.

Abstract: While connectivity within sensory cortical circuits has been studied extensively, how these connections contribute to perception and behavior is not well understood. Here we tested the role of a circuit between layers 3 and 5 of auditory cortex in sound detection. We measured sound detection using a common variant of pre-pulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response, in which a silent gap in background noise acts as a cue that attenuates startle. We used the Nr5a-Cre driver line, which we found drove expression in the auditory cortex restricted predominantly to layer 3. Photoactivation of these cells evoked short-latency, highly reliable spiking in downstream layer 5 neurons, and attenuated startle responses similarly to gaps in noise. Photosuppression of these cells did not affect behavioral gap detection. Our data provide the first demonstration that direct activation of auditory cortical neurons is sufficient to attenuate the acoustic startle response, similar to the detection of a sound.

Weible|Aldis P|AP|
Yavorska|Iryna|I|
Kayal|Donna|D|
Duckler|Ulysses|U|
Wehr|Michael|M|

D000161:Acoustic Stimulation
D000818:Animals
D001303:Auditory Cortex
D001307:Auditory Perception
D051379:Mice
D008822:Mice, Transgenic
D009434:Neural Pathways
D009474:Neurons
D065808:Prepulse Inhibition
D013216:Reflex, Startle
D054339:Steroidogenic Factor 1

auditory cortex
layer 3
gap detection
canonical microcircuit
startle response modulation


Implicit Discrimination of Basic Facial Expressions of Positive/Negative Emotion in Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by impaired social functioning. We examined the spontaneous discrimination of happy and disgusted facial expressions, from neutral faces, in individuals with FXS (n  =  13, Mage  =  19.70) and ASD (n  =  15, Mage  =  11.00) matched on adaptive behavior and verbal abilities measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. Eye gaze to the eyes and mouth of neutral faces was also measured. Results suggest individuals with FXS and ASD distinguish facial expressions spontaneously in the same way. Individuals with FXS looked significantly less at the eye region of neutral faces than individuals with ASD. These results provide insight into similarities and differences in face processing in two neurodevelopmental disorders noted for their similarities in social behavior.

Crawford|Hayley|H|
Moss|Joanna|J|
Anderson|Giles M|GM|
Oliver|Chris|C|
McCleery|Joseph P|JP|

D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive

Fragile X syndrome
autism spectrum disorder
eye gaze
emotion discrimination
eye tracking


All-Cause Mortality of Patients With and Without Diabetes Following Bariatric Surgery: Comparison to Non-surgical Matched Patients.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
Data are sparse regarding the survival benefit of bariatric surgery on mortality among persons with diabetes. We aimed to investigate the association of bariatric surgery, compared with usual care, on all-cause mortality in individuals who underwent surgery and matched controls, stratified by the presence of diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This retrospective cohort study utilized population-based electronic medical record data. Individuals who underwent one of three types of bariatric surgery during 2005-2014 were included. For each surgical patient, three non-surgical individuals were matched according to age, sex, body mass index, and diabetes status. The cohort comprised 9564 individuals with diabetes and 23,976 individuals without diabetes.

RESULTS
During a median follow-up of 4.2 years, adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality for non-surgery vs. surgery were 2.38 (95%CI: 1.75, 3.26) and 1.73 (95%CI: 1.26, 2.36) among individuals with diabetes and individuals without diabetes, respectively. Considered separately, HRs for mortality for laparoscopic banding, gastric bypass, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were 2.83 (95%CI: 1.73, 4.63), 2.30 (95%CI: 1.25, 4.25), and 1.89 (95%CI: 1.1, 3.32) among patients with diabetes; and 1.74 (95%CI: 1.20, 2.52), 2.66 (0.81, 8.76), and 1.16 (0.51, 2.65) among patients without diabetes.

CONCLUSION
The survival advantage of bariatric surgery after a median follow-up of 4.2 years was greater among individuals with than without diabetes for the three types of surgery performed. Longer follow-up is needed to examine the effect on survival in individuals without diabetes who undergo bariatric surgery. These results suggest priority considerations for bariatric surgery candidates.

D050110:Bariatric Surgery
D003920:Diabetes Mellitus
D005743:Gastrectomy
D015390:Gastric Bypass
D006801:Humans
D010535:Laparoscopy
D009767:Obesity, Morbid
D012189:Retrospective Studies
D016896:Treatment Outcome

Mortality
Diabetes
Bariatric surgery
Sleeve gastrectomy
Gastric banding
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Subgroups


Biological functions of mesenchymal stem cells and clinical implications.

Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are isolated from multiple biological tissues-adult bone marrow and adipose tissues and neonatal tissues such as umbilical cord and placenta. In vitro, MSCs show biological features of extensive proliferation ability and multipotency. Moreover, MSCs have trophic, homing/migration and immunosuppression functions that have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. A number of clinical trials are using MSCs for therapeutic interventions in severe degenerative and/or inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease and graft-versus-host disease, alone or in combination with other drugs. MSCs are promising for therapeutic applications given the ease in obtaining them, their genetic stability, their poor immunogenicity and their curative properties for tissue repair and immunomodulation. The success of MSC therapy in degenerative and/or inflammatory diseases might depend on the robustness of the biological functions of MSCs, which should be linked to their therapeutic potency. Here, we outline the fundamental and advanced concepts of MSC biological features and underline the biological functions of MSCs in their basic and translational aspects in therapy for degenerative and/or inflammatory diseases.

D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation

Cell functions
Cell identity
Cell therapy
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells


Paclitaxel-coated balloon in the treatment of recurrent dysfunctional arteriovenous access, real-world experience and longitudinal follow up.

Abstract:
AIM
Dysfunctional arteriovenous (AV) access remains a significant cause of morbidity and hospital admission for patients with end stage renal failure on haemodialysis. This study was performed to evaluate the impact of paclitaxel-coated Balloon (PCB) on the patency of AV access with recurrent stenoses.

METHODS
We retrospectively studied haemodialysis patients who presented to our centre with recurrent AV access dysfunction and compared intervention-free patency using plain balloon versus PCB.

RESULTS
A total of 147 patients were followed up longitudinally. Intervention-free patency was better following PCB compared to previous intervention using plain balloons (6.4 ± 5.8 versus 4.0 ± 3.7, P < 0.01). The 3- and 6-month patency rates after PCB were significantly better compared to standard plain angioplasty balloon: 69.4% versus 52.4%, P < 0.01 and 42.9% versus 15.6%, P < 0.01 respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of circuit patency demonstrated the superiority of PCB over plain balloon angioplasty in both arteriovenous fistula and arteriovenous graft (P < 0.01 and P = 0.01 respectively) although the patency of arteriovenous fistula remained significantly better than arteriovenous graft following interventions with PCB (P < 0.01). Age of AV access and the number of previous interventions were found to be significant predictors of patency following PCB intervention.

CONCLUSION
Arteriovenous access intervention with PCB was shown to be superior compared to plain balloon in the treatment of both non-thrombosed and thrombosed AV accesses in our multi-ethnic population.

Phang|Chee Chin|CC|
Tan|Ru Yu|RY|
Pang|Suh Chien|SC|
Tan|Chee Wooi|CW|
Teh|Swee Ping|SP|
Cheng|Rui-Wern|RW|
Kho|Yu Xuan|YX|
Chong|Tze Tec|TT|
Gogna|Apoorva|A|
Foo|Wai Yin|WY|
Tan|Chieh Suai|CS|

paclitaxel-coated balloon
haemodialysis
angioplasty
arteriovenous fistula
arteriovenous graft
thrombolysis


Echocardiographic indices and severity of mitral regurgitation in dogs with preclinical degenerative mitral valve disease.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Describing severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) is challenging.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES
Mitral regurgitant fraction (RF), effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA), and the ratio of mitral regurgitant to aortic flow (QMR :QAo ) can be calculated from routine echocardiographic measurements and provide additional information regarding MR severity.

ANIMALS
Fifty-seven dogs with preclinical DMVD including 36 without and 21 with cardiomegaly.

METHODS
Prospective observational study. The expected relationships among RF, EROA, and QMR :QAo and 1-dimensional measurements including left atrium to aortic root diameter ratio (LA:Ao) and normalized left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole (LVIDdN) were mathematically derived and calculated using echocardiographic data from the study population. Nonlinear goodness of fit was determined by calculation of the root mean standard error. The correlations between 1-dimensional and multidimensional indices were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS
The relationships among RF, EROA, QMR :QAo , and both LA:Ao and LVIDdN were curvilinear, and the multidimensional indices differentiated MR of variable severity. By contrast, 1-dimensional measurements were insensitive to MR severity until RF equaled or exceeded 50%. Regurgitant fraction ≥50%, EROA to body surface area ≥0.347 and QMR :QAo ≥0.79 were strongly associated with LA:Ao ≥1.6 and LVIDdN ≥1.7.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Regurgitant fraction, EROA, and QMR :QAo quantify MR severity in dogs with preclinical DMVD in a manner that 1-dimensional measurements do not.

degenerative mitral valve disease
regurgitant fraction
heart disease
myxomatous degeneration


Lumbar intervertebral disc characterization through quantitative MRI analysis: An automatic voxel-based relaxometry approach.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
To develop an automated pipeline based on convolutional neural networks to segment lumbar intervertebral discs and characterize their biochemical composition using voxel-based relaxometry, and establish local associations with clinical measures of disability, muscle changes, and other symptoms of lower back pain.

METHODS
This work proposes a new methodology using MRI (n = 31, across the spectrum of disc degeneration) that combines deep learning-based segmentation, atlas-based registration, and statistical parametric mapping for voxel-based analysis of T1ρ and T2 relaxation time maps to characterize disc degeneration and its associated disability.

RESULTS
Across degenerative grades, the segmentation algorithm produced accurate, high-confidence segmentations of the lumbar discs in two independent data sets. Manually and automatically extracted mean disc T1ρ and T2 relaxation times were in high agreement for all discs with minimal bias. On a voxel-by-voxel basis, imaging-based degenerative grades were strongly negatively correlated with T1ρ and T2 , particularly in the nucleus. Stratifying patients by disability grades revealed significant differences in the relaxation maps between minimal/moderate versus severe disability: The average T1ρ relaxation maps from the minimal/moderate disability group showed clear annulus nucleus distinction with a visible midline, whereas the severe disability group had lower average T1ρ values with a homogeneous distribution.

CONCLUSION
This work presented a scalable pipeline for fast, automated assessment of disc relaxation times, and voxel-based relaxometry that overcomes limitations of current region of interest-based analysis methods and may enable greater insights and associations between disc degeneration, disability, and lower back pain.

relaxometry
segmentation
registration
deep learning
spine


Molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves in Estonia: high prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum shedding and 10 subtypes identified.

Abstract: We investigated the molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in Estonia by testing fecal samples from 486 calves aged <2 months, raised on 53 cattle farms, for the presence of Cryptosporidium DNA. The parasites were identified and characterized by sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene and of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Moreover, using a questionnaire, we surveyed factors that could be relevant for animal-to-human and human-to-animal transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. on the farms. Cryptosporidium spp. were shed by 23% of the investigated calves and at least one shedding calf was found on 66% of the farms. Cryptosporidium parvum was the most common species shed, while C. bovis and C. ryanae were also detected. More than half of the calves aged 8-14 days shed C. parvum. Nine previously described C. parvum subtypes (IIaA14G1R1, IIaA16G1R1, IIaA17G1R1, IIaA18G1R1, IIaA19G1R1, IIaA20G1R1, IIaA21G1R1, IIaA22G1R1 and IIaA16G2R1) and an apparently novel subtype IIlA21R2 were found. Calves from farms that reported spreading manure on fields during spring had 10 times higher odds to shed Cryptosporidium spp. in their feces than calves from farms that did not. Calves aged 8-14 days had higher odds to shed IIa18G1R1 as well as IIaA16G1R1 than younger calves.

Santoro|Azzurra|A| Dorbek-Kolin|Elisabeth|E| Jeremejeva|Julia|J| Tummeleht|Lea|L| Orro|Toomas|T| Jokelainen|Pikka|P| Lassen|Brian|B|0000-0002-1745-1516

molecular epidemiology
Cryptosporidium parvum
cattle
Baltic country
One Health
bovine
cryptosporidiosis
environment


Sentinel node biopsy after neoadjuvant treatment in breast cancer: Five-year follow-up of patients with clinically node-negative or node-positive disease before treatment.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
It is controversial whether sentinel node biopsy (SNB) without axillary dissection (AD) should be performed in cN1/2 breast cancer patients who become cN0 after neoadjuvant treatment, since the false negative rate (FNR) may be unacceptably high. We assessed outcomes to address this issue.

METHODS
We retrospectively assessed 396 cT1-4, cN0/1/2 patients, who became or remained cN0 after neoadjuvant treatment and underwent SNB with at least one sentinel node (SN) found, and AD not performed if the SN was negative.

RESULTS
After a median follow-up of 61 months (interquartile range 38-82), five-year overall survival was 90.7% (95% CI, 87.7-93.7) in the whole cohort, 93.3% (95% CI, 90.0-96.6) in those initially cN0, and 86.3% (95% CI, 80.6-92.1) in those initially cN1/2 (P = 0.12). Axillary failure occurred in only 1 (0.7%) initially cN1/2 patient who became cN0. In initially cN0 patients, and also initially cN1/2 patients who responded well to neoadjuvant treatment (ypT0/ypTx), SN-negativity was a significant predictor of good outcome, consistent with the known prognostic significance of axillary status, and suggesting that SN status accurately reflected axillary status. By contrast, in initially cN1/2 patients found to be ypT1/2/3, SN status (and whether or not AD was performed) had no influence on survival.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that SNB is acceptable in cN1/2 patients who become cN0 after neoadjuvant therapy.

Galimberti|V|V|
Ribeiro Fontana|S K|SK|
Maisonneuve|P|P|
Steccanella|F|F|
Vento|A R|AR|
Intra|M|M|
Naninato|P|P|
Caldarella|P|P|
Iorfida|M|M|
Colleoni|M|M|
Viale|G|G|
Grana|C M|CM|
Rotmensz|N|N|
Luini|A|A|

D000328:Adult
D000368:Aged
D001365:Axilla
D001943:Breast Neoplasms
D016208:Databases, Factual
D018572:Disease-Free Survival
D005260:Female
D005500:Follow-Up Studies
D006801:Humans
D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate
D008197:Lymph Node Excision
D008198:Lymph Nodes
D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental
D008875:Middle Aged
D015999:Multivariate Analysis
D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy
D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness
D009367:Neoplasm Staging
D016016:Proportional Hazards Models
D012189:Retrospective Studies
D018570:Risk Assessment
D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
D016019:Survival Analysis
D013997:Time Factors

Sentinel node biopsy
Neoadjuvant treatment
Axillary dissection
Primary breast cancer


Relationship between sorptivity and capillary coefficient for water absorption of cement-based materials: theory analysis and experiment.

Abstract: The durability of cement-based materials depends on the property of water absorption. In this work, a technique of X-ray CT combined with CsCl enhancing was used to continuously monitor the dynamic process of water uptake in cement-based materials and the gravimetric method was used to measure the amount of water absorption. The relationship between the capillary coefficient (k) and sorptivity (S) was firstly established based on theory analysis and well verified by the experiment results. In accordance with theory analysis and experiment results, it is found that the ratio of sorptivity to capillary coefficient equals the porosity (φ) of materials, i.e. S/k = φ. This model provides a simple method for obtaining the capillary coefficient of porous materials from the measurement of sorptivity and porosity.

Yang|Lin|L|0000-0002-6910-2596 Gao|Danying|D| Zhang|Yunsheng|Y| Tang|Jiyu|J| Li|Ying|Y|

water absorption
cement-based materials
durability
X-ray CT


Characterisation of the endocrine pancreas in type 1 diabetes: islet size is maintained but islet number is markedly reduced.

Abstract: Insulin deficiency in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is generally considered a consequence of immune-mediated specific beta-cell loss. Since healthy pancreatic islets consist of ~65% beta cells, this would lead to reduced islet size, while the number of islets per pancreas volume (islet density) would not be affected. In this study, we compared the islet density, size, and size distribution in biopsies from subjects with recent-onset or long-standing T1D, with that in matched non-diabetic subjects. The results presented show preserved islet size and islet size distribution, but a marked reduction in islet density in subjects with recent onset T1D compared with non-diabetic subjects. No further reduction in islet density occurred with increased disease duration. Insulin-negative islets in T1D subjects were dominated by glucagon-positive cells that often had lost the alpha-cell transcription factor ARX while instead expressing PDX1, normally only expressed in beta cells within the islets. Based on our findings, we propose that failure to establish a sufficient islet number to reach the beta-cell mass needed to cope with episodes of increased insulin demand contributes to T1D susceptibility. Exhaustion induced by relative lack of beta cells could then potentially drive beta-cell dedifferentiation to alpha-cells, explaining the preserved islet size observed in T1D compared to controls.

Seiron|Peter|P|0000-0002-1419-450X
Wiberg|Anna|A|
Kuric|Enida|E|
Krogvold|Lars|L|
Jahnsen|Frode L|FL|
Dahl-Jørgensen|Knut|K|
Skog|Oskar|O|
Korsgren|Olle|O|


Intraoperative Ultrasound-Guided Posterior Cervical Laminectomy for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
We present our experience with routine intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS)-guided posterior cervical laminectomy (PCL) in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), describe the technique used, and describe relevant IOUS findings that may impact the surgical procedure.

METHODS
Three illustrative cases are presented of patients (age range, 67-79 years) who underwent PCL with IOUS guidance and instrumented fusion for DCM. Intraoperative standard B-mode images were obtained with a linear array 6.6- to 13.3-MHz transducer.

RESULTS
Excellent high-resolution IOUS view of the spinal cord and nerve roots was obtained in every case after laminectomy. IOUS had a relevant intraoperative impact in all cases, leading to extended decompression of focal residual compression, confirmation of posterior shift of the spinal cord from anteriorly located structures, and final confirmation of sufficient decompression by visualization of symmetric and rhythmic cord pulsations.

CONCLUSIONS
IOUS is a poorly described yet easy-to-use and very effective tool for guidance and confirmation of adequate posterior decompression of the cervical spinal cord and nerve roots during PCL. Routinely using IOUS-guided decompression for PCL in patients with myelopathy will help avoid residual compression of neural elements and might be beneficial for functional outcome.

Schär|Ralph T|RT|
Wilson|Jefferson R|JR|
Ginsberg|Howard J|HJ|

Cervical laminectomy
Degenerative cervical myelopathy
Intraoperative ultrasound
Cervical fusion


Latency estimation for chronic disease risk: a damped exponential weighting model.

Abstract: Identifying the susceptible period when environmental factors affect disease risk is essential for understanding disease etiology. Most existing epidemiologic studies use oversimplified summaries of time-dependent exposures such as baseline or most current exposure, or the cumulative average of exposure over available follow-up periods. In this paper, we introduce a damped exponential weighting model for estimating optimal exposure weights for different time intervals. This model can accommodate flexible patterns of weights and can be fit using standard software. We applied the model to assess the latency of BMI and alcohol for post-menopausal breast cancer based on 30-year exposure history in the Nurses' Health Study. We have also performed a simulation study to assess the validity of the proposed hypothesis testing and estimation procedures in realistic conditions. We found that the type I error is close to 0.05; the bias in our parameter estimates is low and the coverage probability of interval estimates is close to 0.95. For ER+/PR+ breast cancer we found that recent BMI was a more important predictor of risk than more distant BMI; for ER-/PR- breast cancer, no latency was found and risk was characterized by cumulative high levels of BMI over a long period of time. For alcohol intake, we saw a strong positive association with cumulative intake for ER+/PR+ breast cancer; no significant association was found for cumulative intake or for any latency measure of risk for ER-/PR- breast cancer. Our results underscore the value of an easy-to-implement approach to latency analysis of exposure profiles for chronic disease.

D000328:Adult
D000428:Alcohol Drinking
D015992:Body Mass Index
D001943:Breast Neoplasms
D002908:Chronic Disease
D004198:Disease Susceptibility
D004781:Environmental Exposure
D016021:Epidemiologic Studies
D005260:Female
D006801:Humans
D008875:Middle Aged
D017698:Postmenopause
D016016:Proportional Hazards Models
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen
D011980:Receptors, Progesterone
D012107:Research Design
D018570:Risk Assessment
D012307:Risk Factors
D013997:Time Factors

Latency
Damped exponential weights
Cancer
Repeated exposure measurement


Role of Telemedicine for Facio-Odontogenic Pain Management During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract:
Introduction
As the COVID-19 pandemic is increasingly griping the world, the entire landscape of existing patient management needs to be changed to avoid spread of Corona virus. In cases of emergencies, there is no option other than getting in-person consultations with doctors. But, in non-emergency patients, telemedicine can serve as a boon.

Material and methods
In this article, we have tried to summarize the rules, regulations and protocols in accordance with government guidelines along with practical management for urgencies in dento-/oro-facial pains.

Conclusion
If used wisely and as per recommendations, telemedicine is a very useful tool in the present COVID-19 pandemic, to avoid spread of infection to patients as well as health care workers.

Bhushan|Kritant|K|
Kulkarni|Prashant|P|
Sharma|Mansi Luthra|ML|

Telemedicine
COVID-19 pandemic
Facial odontogenic pains


Functional Connectivity Evoked by Orofacial Tactile Perception of Velocity.

Abstract: The cortical representations of orofacial pneumotactile stimulation involve complex neuronal networks, which are still unknown. This study aims to identify the characteristics of functional connectivity (FC) evoked by three different saltatory velocities over the perioral and buccal surface of the lower face using functional magnetic resonance imaging in twenty neurotypical adults. Our results showed a velocity of 25 cm/s evoked stronger connection strength between the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the right thalamus than a velocity of 5 cm/s. The decreased FC between the right secondary somatosensory cortex and right posterior parietal cortex for 5-cm/s velocity versus all three velocities delivered simultaneously ("All ON") and the increased FC between the right thalamus and bilateral secondary somatosensory cortex for 65 cm/s vs "All ON" indicated that the right secondary somatosensory cortex might play a role in the orofacial tactile perception of velocity. Our results have also shown different patterns of FC for each seed (bilateral primary and secondary somatosensory cortex) at various velocity contrasts (5 vs 25 cm/s, 5 vs 65 cm/s, and 25 vs 65 cm/s). The similarities and differences of FC among three velocities shed light on the neuronal networks encoding the orofacial tactile perception of velocity.

Wang|Yingying|Y|
Sibaii|Fatima|F|
Custead|Rebecca|R|
Oh|Hyuntaek|H|
Barlow|Steven M|SM|

functional connectivity
orofacial
cortical representation
pneumotactile stimulation
saltatory velocity
fMRI


Efficient DNA ligation by selective heating of DNA ligase with a radio frequency alternating magnetic field.

Abstract: We present a simple method for efficient DNA ligation utilizing the heat generation of ferromagnetic particles subjected to an ac magnetic field. We carry out the ligation of DNA fragments with cohesive ends using T4 DNA ligase immobilized on the surface of ferromagnetic particles. When a radio frequency alternating magnetic field is applied, ferromagnetic particles dissipate heat and DNA ligase on the particles is selectively heated up and activated with little influence on the annealing of DNA ends, as a result of which the ligation efficiency increases. We show that the ligation efficiency increases with an increase in the field amplitude.

Suzuki|Masashi|M| Hayashi|Hiroaki|H| Mizuki|Toru|T| Maekawa|Toru|T| Morimoto|Hisao|H|

DNA ligation
Ac magnetic field
Hysteresis loss heating
Immobilized enzyme
Magnetic particles


Clozapine Induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome.

Abstract: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare, but potentially life-threatening adverse event associated with the use of neuroleptic agents. We describe the case of a 47-year-old schizophrenic woman who was treated with clozapine for years. The patient developed acute renal failure with pulmonary edema, and underwent mechanical ventilation and hemodialysis.

clozapine
neuroleptic malignant syndrome
acute kidney injury
rhabdomyolysis


Modulation versus Templating: Fine-Tuning of Hierarchally Porous PCN-250 Using Fatty Acids To Engineer Guest Adsorption.

Abstract: Modulation and templating are two synthetic techniques that have garnered significant attention over the last several years for the preparation of hierarchically porous metal-organic frameworks (HP-MOFs). In this study, by using fatty acids with different lengths and concentrations as dual-functional modulators/templates, we were able to obtain HP-MOFs with tunable mesopores that exhibit different pore diameters and locations. We found that the length and concentration of the fatty acids can determine if micelle formation occurs, which in turn dictates the porosity of the resulting HP-MOFs. The HP-MOFs with different mesopores differed in their performance in gas uptake and dye adsorption, and the structure-performance relationships were ascribed to the pore diameters and locations. This approach could provide a potentially universal method to efficiently introduce hierarchal mesopores into existing microporous MOF adsorbents with tunable properties.

Kirchon|Angelo|A|
Li|Jialuo|J|
Xia|Fangqing|F|
Day|Gregory S|GS|
Becker|Benjamin|B|
Chen|Wenmiao|W|
Sue|Hung-Jue|HJ|
Fang|Yu|Y|
Zhou|Hong-Cai|HC|0000-0002-9029-3788

metal-organic frameworks
micelles
dye adsorption
hierarchically porous materials
template synthesis


Narrative review of neurocognitive and quality of life tools used in brain metastases trials.

Abstract: Development of brain metastases are common in patients with advanced malignancies leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Although overall survival is an important endpoint in these patients, neurocognition and health related quality of life (HRQoL) more accurately highlights the impact of the disease and its treatment on patients. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) has historically played a key role in the management of these patients, especially those with multiple brain metastases. Clinical trials have supported the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone in patients with limited brain metastases sparing neurocognitive function and HRQoL as compared to the combination of SRS plus WBRT. Furthermore, new systemic agents are increasingly being used in clinical practice and have shown promise in patients with brain metastases. The upcoming clinical trials are tasked with defining treatment guidelines that are more specific to patient and tumour factors incorporating radiation, surgery, and systemic therapy. The validity of findings in these trials rest on the rigor of the study methodology and the utilisation of validated assessment tools for neurocognition and HRQoL. This review aims to appraise and summarise the neurocognitive and HRQoL tools used in modern brain metastases trials.

Neurocognitive function
brain metastases radiation trials
quality of life (QoL)