Phthalate exposure and semen quality in fertile US men.

Abstract: Several experimental and observational studies have demonstrated the antiandrogenicity of several phthalates. However, there is limited evidence of an association between phthalate exposure in adult life and semen quality. The aim of this study was to examine phthalate exposure during adulthood in relation to semen quality in fertile US men. This multi-center cross-sectional study included 420 partners of pregnant women who attended a prenatal clinic in one of five US cities during 1999-2001. Nine phthalate metabolites [mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono (2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP), mono (2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), and mono (2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP)], as well as mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) and mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), mono (three carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and monoethyl phthalate (MEP)] were measured in urine collected at the same time as the semen sample. We regressed natural log-transformed (ln) sperm concentration, ln(total sperm count), ln(total motile sperm count), percent motile spermatozoa, and percent spermatozoa with normal morphology on each of the nine natural log-transformed metabolite concentrations and on the molar-weighted sum of DEHP metabolites in separate models. We fit unadjusted models and models that adjusted for confounders determined a priori. In unadjusted models, ln(MiBP) was significantly and positively associated with motility and ln(MBzP) significantly negatively associated with ln(total sperm count). In adjusted linear models, urinary metabolite concentrations of DEHP, DBP, DEP, and DOP were not associated with any semen parameter. We found an inverse association between ln(MBzP) concentrations and sperm motility (β = -1.47, 95% CI: -2.61, -0.33), adjusted for ln(creatinine concentration), geographic location, age, race, smoking status, stress, recent fever, time from sample collection and time to complete analysis. Several sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these associations. This study and the available literature suggest that impacts of adult exposure to phthalates at environmental levels on classical sperm parameters are likely to be small.

Thurston|S W|SW|
Mendiola|J|J|
Bellamy|A R|AR|
Levine|H|H|
Wang|C|C|
Sparks|A|A|
Redmon|J B|JB|
Drobnis|E Z|EZ|
Swan|S H|SH|

phthalates
semen quality
endocrine disruption
epidemiology
reproduction


The effect of redox conditions and adaptation time on organic micropollutant removal during river bank filtration: A laboratory-scale column study.

Abstract: This study investigated the redox dependent removal and adaptive behaviour of a mixture of 15 organic micropollutants (OMPs) in laboratory-scale soil columns fed with river water. Three separate pilot systems were used consisting of: (1) two columns, (2) ten columns and (3) twenty two columns to create oxic, suboxic (partial nitrate removal) and anoxic (complete nitrate removal). The pilot set-up has some unique features--it can simulate fairly long residence times (e.g., 45 days using the 22 column system) and reduced conditions developed naturally within the system. Dimethoate, diuron, and metoprolol showed redox dependent removal behaviour with higher biodegradation rates in the oxic zone compared to the suboxic/anoxic zone. The redox dependent behaviour of these three OMPs could not be explained based on their physico-chemical properties (hydrophobicity, charge and molecular weight) or functional groups present in the molecular structure. OMPs that showed persistent behaviour in the oxic zone (atrazine, carbamazepine, hydrochlorothiazide and simazine) were also not removed under more reduced conditions. Adaptive behaviour was observed for five OMPs: dimethoate, chloridazon, lincomycin, sulfamethoxazole and phenazone. However, the adaptive behaviour could not be explained by the physico-chemical properties (hydrophobicity, charge and molecular weight) investigated in this study and only rough trends were observed with specific functional groups (e.g. ethers, sulphur, primary and secondary amines). Finally, the adaptive behaviour of OMPs was found to be an important factor that should be incorporated in predictive models for OMP removal during river bank filtration.

Bertelkamp|C|C|
Verliefde|A R D|AR|
Schoutteten|K|K|
Vanhaecke|L|L|
Vanden Bussche|J|J|
Singhal|N|N|
van der Hoek|J P|JP|

Redox
Adaptation
Organic micropollutants
River bank filtration
Biodegradation


Structural characterization of short hybrid urea/carbamate (U/C) foldamers: A case of partial helix unwinding.

Abstract: Aliphatic oligoureas−(NH−CH(R)−CH2−NH−CO)n− and oligocarbamates −(NH−CH(R)−CH2−O−CO)n− are two classes of synthetic peptidomimetic oligomers whose backbone is isosteric to that of γ-peptides. We have shown recently that the constituent units of these backbones (i.e., amide (A), carbamate (C) and urea (U) units) can be combined in various ways to generate new heterogeneous oligomers with well-defined secondary structures. For example, oligomers consisting of urea (U) and carbamate (C) linkages arranged in a 1:1 pattern adopt a helical conformation akin to that of urea homoligomers and γ-peptide foldamers. In this case, helix formation is mainly driven by U units whose propensity for folding surpasses that of C units. Here, we have investigated further the influence of the U/C ratio on the folding preference of such heterogeneous oligomers. We report the synthesis and the structural analysis of a short oligomer with a 2:3 U/C ratio and two consecutive carbamate linkages. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals a helical structure that unwinds at one end. In contrast, a cognate oligomer prepared for comparison and containing four contiguous urea units adopts a fully helical conformation in the crystalline state. These results which are supported by data in solution indicate that the balance between U and C units should be carefully adjusted and that consecutive C linkages should be avoided for optimal helix formation.

Nelli|Yella Reddy|YR|
Fischer|Lucile|L|
Collie|Gavin W|GW|
Kauffmann|Brice|B|
Guichard|Gilles|G|

foldamers
peptidomimetics
helical structures
crystallography
oligoureas


Molecular taxonomy of human ocular outflow tissues defined by single-cell transcriptomics.

Abstract: The conventional outflow pathway is a complex tissue responsible for maintaining intraocular pressure (IOP) homeostasis. The coordinated effort of multiple cells with differing responsibilities ensures healthy outflow function and IOP maintenance. Dysfunction of one or more resident cell types results in ocular hypertension and risk for glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to generate a comprehensive cell atlas of human conventional outflow tissues. We obtained expression profiles of 17,757 genes from 8,758 cells from eight eyes of human donors representing the outflow cell transcriptome. Upon clustering analysis, 12 distinct cell types were identified, and region-specific expression of candidate genes was mapped in human tissues. Significantly, we identified two distinct expression patterns (myofibroblast- and fibroblast-like) from cells located in the trabecular meshwork (TM), the primary structural component of the conventional outflow pathway. We also located Schwann cell and macrophage signatures in the TM. The second primary component structure, Schlemm's canal, displayed a unique combination of lymphatic/blood vascular gene expression. Other expression clusters corresponded to cells from neighboring tissues, predominantly in the ciliary muscle/scleral spur, which together correspond to the uveoscleral outflow pathway. Importantly, the utility of our atlas was demonstrated by mapping glaucoma-relevant genes to outflow cell clusters. Our study provides a comprehensive molecular and cellular classification of conventional and unconventional outflow pathway structures responsible for IOP homeostasis.

Patel|Gaurang|G|0000-0003-2497-665X
Fury|Wen|W|
Yang|Hua|H|
Gomez-Caraballo|Maria|M|
Bai|Yu|Y|
Yang|Tao|T|
Adler|Christina|C|
Wei|Yi|Y|
Ni|Min|M|
Schmitt|Heather|H|0000-0003-2007-7542
Hu|Ying|Y|
Yancopoulos|George|G|
Stamer|W Daniel|WD|
Romano|Carmelo|C|0000-0003-1138-4241

single-cell transcriptomics
glaucoma
trabecular meshwork
anterior chamber
outflow facility


Visual-spatial cognition in children using aided communication.

Abstract: Children with severe motor impairments are restricted in their manipulation and exploration of objects, but little is known about how such limitations influence cognitive development. This study investigated visual-constructional abilities in 75 children and adolescents, aged 5;0-15;11 (years;months), with severe speech impairments and no intellectual disabilities (aided group) and in 56 children and adolescents with typical development (reference group). Verbal comprehension, non-verbal reasoning, and visual-spatial perception were assessed with standardized tests. The task of the participants was to verbally instruct communication partners to make physical constructions identical to models that the partner could not see. In the aided group, 55.7% of the constructions were identical to the models participants described, compared to 91.3% in the reference group. In the aided group, test results explained 51.4% of the variance in construction errors. The results indicate that the participants' language skills were decisive for construction success. Visual-perceptual challenges were common among the aided communicators, and their instructions included little information about size and spatial relations. This may reflect less experience with object manipulation and construction than children with typical development, and using aided communication to instruct others to make three-dimensional constructions. The results imply a need for interventions that compensate for the lack of relevant experience.

visual-spatial cognition
Aided communication
non-verbal reasoning
assessment
speech and motor impairment


Mucormycosis in Mainland China: A Systematic Review of Case Reports.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Mucormycosis is a lethal fungal infection with increasing incidence. The epidemiology of mucormycosis in current mainland China has not been fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the epidemiology, risk factors, manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of mucormycosis in mainland China.

METHODS
We searched for published mucormycosis case reports/series in mainland China in the PubMed, WanFang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases from January 2001 to July 2020. Cases of proven/probable mucormycosis were included.

RESULTS
A total of 390 cases were included in this review. Most of the patients were male (61.3%), and diabetes was the most common predisposing factor (37.2%). Pulmonary mucormycosis (42.1%) was the most common form followed by cutaneous infection (21.0%). Of 390 patients, 24 died before therapy. Among the remaining 366 patients, 208 (56.8%) received antifungal drugs alone, 16 (4.4%) received surgery alone, and 142 (38.8%) received a combination of drugs and surgery, the mortality of the last group is much lower (34/142, 23.9%). The overall mortality was 37.2%. A multivariate analysis indicated that factors associated with increased mortality included corticosteroid use alone as immunosuppressive therapy, rhino-orbito-cerebral or disseminated mucormycosis (compared with pulmonary mucormycosis), and drug administration other than amphotericin B (AmB), posaconazole (POS) and itraconazole (ITR) (compared with the use of conventional AmB), while factors associated with decreased mortality included cutaneous mucormycosis and surgical therapy. Combination or sequential antifungal therapy of AmB and POS or ITR did not reduce mortality compared with conventional AmB monotherapy.

CONCLUSION
In mainland China, mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection with high mortality. Corticosteroid use, rhino-orbito-cerebral and disseminated mucormycosis were adverse prognostic factors. Antifungal therapy combined with surgery could improve the prognosis.

Mucormycosis
Mainland China
Systematic review
Epidemiology
Treatment


Bioelectricity generation in continuously-fed microbial fuel cell: effects of anode electrode material and hydraulic retention time.

Abstract: The main aim of this study is to investigate the bioelectricity production in continuously-fed dual chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC). Initially, MFC was operated with different anode electrode material at constant hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2d to evaluate the effect of electrode material on electricity production. Pt electrode yielded about 642 mW/m(2) power density, which was 4 times higher than that of the MFC with the mixed metal oxide titanium (Ti-TiO2). Further, MFC equipped with Pt electrode was operated at varying HRT (2-0.5d). The power density generation increased with decreasing HRT, corresponding to 1313 mW/m(2) which was maximum value obtained during this study. Additionally, decreasing HRT from 2 to 0.5d resulted in increasing effluent dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration from 1.92 g/L to 2.23 g/L, corresponding to DOC removal efficiencies of 46% and 38%, respectively.

Akman|Dilek|D| Cirik|Kevser|K| Ozdemir|Sebnem|S| Ozkaya|Bestamin|B| Cinar|Ozer|O|

Microbial fuel cell
Hydraulic retention time
Pt electrode
Continuous flow
Ti–TiO(2) electrode


Novel polyomaviruses in shrews (Soricidae) with close similarity to human polyomavirus 12.

Abstract: Shrews (family Soricidae) have already been reported to host microorganisms pathogenic for humans. In an effort to search for additional infectious agents with zoonotic potential, we detected polyomaviruses (PyVs) in common shrew, crowned shrew, and pygmy shrew (Sorex araneus, S. coronatus and S. minutus). From these, 11 full circular genomes were determined. Phylogenetic analysis based on large T protein sequences showed that these novel PyVs form a separate clade within the genus Alphapolyomavirus. Within this clade, the phylogenetic relationships suggest host-virus co-divergence. Surprisingly, one PyV from common shrew showed a genomic sequence nearly identical to that of the human polyomavirus 12 (HPyV12). This indicated that HPyV12 is a variant of a non-human PyV that naturally infects shrews. Whether HPyV12 is a bona fide human-tropic polyomavirus arising from a recent shrew-to-human transmission event or instead reflects a technical artefact, such as consumable contamination with shrew material, needs further investigation.

Gedvilaite|Alma|A|
Tryland|Morten|M|
Ulrich|Rainer G|RG|
Schneider|Julia|J|
Kurmauskaite|Vaida|V|
Moens|Ugo|U|
Preugschas|Hannah|H|
Calvignac-Spencer|Sébastien|S|
Ehlers|Bernhard|B|

shrew
Soricidae
human polyomavirus 12
zoonotic
transmission
poloyomavirus


The Prevalence, Correlates, and Impact on Cardiac Mortality of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
This study sought to determine the prevalence, correlates, and impact on cardiac mortality of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND
Current heart failure guidelines place little emphasis on RV assessment due to limited available data on determinants of RV function, mechanisms leading to its failure, and relation to outcomes.

METHODS
We prospectively studied 423 patients with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). The pre-specified study endpoint was cardiac mortality. In 100 patients, right heart catheterization was performed as clinically indicated.

RESULTS
During a median follow-up time of 6.2 years (interquartile range: 2.9 to 7.6 years), 101 patients (24%) died of cardiac causes. CMR right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was a strong independent predictor of cardiac mortality after adjustment for age, heart failure-functional class, blood pressure, heart rate, serum sodium, serum creatinine, myocardial scar, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Patients with the lowest quintile of RVEF had a nearly 5-fold higher cardiac mortality risk than did patients with the highest quintile (hazard ratio: 4.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.43 to 9.02; p < 0.0001). RVEF was positively correlated with LVEF (r = 0.60; p < 0.0001), and inversely correlated with right atrial pressure (r = -0.32; p = 0.001), pulmonary artery pressure (r = -0.34; p = 0.0005), transpulmonary gradient (r = -0.28; p = 0.006) but not with pulmonary wedge pressure (r = -0.15; p = 0.13). In multivariable logistic regression analysis of CMR, clinical, and hemodynamic data the strongest predictors of right ventricular dysfunction were LVEF (odds ratio [OR]: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.78 to 0.92; p < 0.0001), transpulmonary gradient (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.32; p = 0.0003), and systolic blood pressure (OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94 to 0.99; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS
CMR assessment of RVEF provides important prognostic information independent of established risk factors and LVEF in heart failure patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Right ventricular dysfunction is strongly associated with both indices of intrinsic myocardial contractility and increased afterload from pulmonary vascular dysfunction.

Pueschner|Andreas|A|
Chattranukulchai|Pairoj|P|
Heitner|John F|JF|
Shah|Dipan J|DJ|
Hayes|Brenda|B|
Rehwald|Wolfgang|W|
Parker|Michele A|MA|
Kim|Han W|HW|
Judd|Robert M|RM|
Kim|Raymond J|RJ|
Klem|Igor|I|

D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine

nonischemic cardiomyopathy
heart failure
right ventricular dysfunction


HPV genotype prevalence and distribution during 2009-2018 in Xinjiang, China: baseline surveys prior to mass HPV vaccination.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The aim of this paper was to conduct a baseline survey of HPV infection in unvaccinated women in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region before the mass use of HPV vaccine.

METHODS
Between 2008 and 2018, the HPV genotype detected by a PCR-based hybridization gene chip assay of 37,722 women who were from Gynecology Department and Health Management Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were tested HPV genotype by a PCR-based hybridization gene chip assay. All statistical analysis methods were performed with this statistical software including Python version 3.6.1, R Software 3.5.1 and Excel 2011.

RESULTS
The total positive rate for HPV was 14.02%, the most prevalent genotypes were HPV 16 (3.79%), HPV 52 (2.47%), HPV 58 (1.76%), HPV 53 (1.35%) and HPV 31 (0.72%). The single infection (11.34%) and high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection (9.72%) was the main prevalence of HPV. Age-specific HPV distribution was presented as a bimodal curve, while the youngest age group (≤25 years) presented the highest HPV infection rate (20.78%), which was followed by a second peak for the 36-40 age group. According to the ethnic stratification, the HPV infection prevalence ranging from the high to low was: Mongol (16.36%), Hui (15.15%), Kazak (14.47%), Han (14.43%), Other (14.37%), Uygher (10.96%). From 2009 to 2013, the HPV infection rate fluctuated but did not changed much. It peaked in 2014 and then fell significantly, reached the bottom point in 2017 and rose slightly in 2018. In 2015, the infection rate of HPVl6 and 52 in the population was almost the same (both 3.40%) the infection rate of HPV52 type (3.31%) was higher than that of HPVl6 type (2.18%) and became the dominant type in 2016.

CONCLUSIONS
We present data regarding the prevalence and type distribution of HPV infection, which could serve as the valuable reference to guide nationwide cervical cancer screening. These baseline data enable the estimates of maximum HPV vaccine impact across time and provide critical reference measurements which are important to the assess of clinical benefits and potential harms in HPV vaccination and the increase in non-vaccine HPV types.

Wang|Jing|J| Tang|Dandan|D| Wang|Kai|K| Wang|Jialu|J| Zhang|Zhaoxia|Z| Chen|Yanxia|Y| Zhang|Xueliang|X| Ma|Cailing|C|0000-0001-9049-5833

HPV vaccination
Genotype distribution
Human papillomaviru
Xinjiang region


Work status and work ability after radical prostatectomy or active surveillance for prostate cancer.

Abstract: Objective: Being able to work is important for health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and little is known about work life after radical treatment for prostate cancer (PCa). The aim was to investigate work status (WS) and work ability (WA) after radical prostatectomy (RP) or active surveillance (AS) for PCa, and to identify factors associated with reduced WA.Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of 606 men treated with RP (n = 442) or AS (n = 164) at two Norwegian general hospitals. In 2017, they were asked to complete questionnaires measuring adverse effects (AE), HRQoL, aspects of work life and psychological factors at a median of 4.1 (range 1.3-8.1) years after diagnosis. Clinical data were retrieved from medical records. WS was categorized into employed, unemployed or retired. WA was rated using the Work Ability Index. Regression analyses were performed to find factors associated with reduced WA.Results: WS was similar for the RP and AS groups at diagnosis and survey. There was a small reduction in WA from diagnosis to survey and the difference between the RP and AS groups was non-significant. Older age, poorer self-rated health, poorer incontinence score, more chronic fatigue, and increased anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with reduced WA, while treatment method, urinary bother and use of pads were not.Conclusion: The impact of RP and AS on WS and WA was almost similar. Age and psychological variables were more strongly associated with reduced WA than cancer-related variables.

Nilsson|Rasmus|R|
Dahl|Alv A|AA|
Bernklev|Tomm|T|
Kersten|Hege|H|
Haug|Erik S|ES|

work status
work ability
radical prostatectomy
Active surveillance
prostate cancer


Mitotic control of human papillomavirus genome-containing cells is regulated by the function of the PDZ-binding motif of the E6 oncoprotein.

Abstract: The function of a conserved PDS95/DLG1/ZO1 (PDZ) binding motif (E6 PBM) at the C-termini of E6 oncoproteins of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types contributes to the development of HPV-associated malignancies. Here, using a primary human keratinocyte-based model of the high-risk HPV18 life cycle, we identify a novel link between the E6 PBM and mitotic stability. In cultures containing a mutant genome in which the E6 PBM was deleted there was an increase in the frequency of abnormal mitoses, including multinucleation, compared to cells harboring the wild type HPV18 genome. The loss of the E6 PBM was associated with a significant increase in the frequency of mitotic spindle defects associated with anaphase and telophase. Furthermore, cells carrying this mutant genome had increased chromosome segregation defects and they also exhibited greater levels of genomic instability, as shown by an elevated level of centromere-positive micronuclei. In wild type HPV18 genome-containing organotypic cultures, the majority of mitotic cells reside in the suprabasal layers, in keeping with the hyperplastic morphology of the structures. However, in mutant genome-containing structures a greater proportion of mitotic cells were retained in the basal layer, which were often of undefined polarity, thus correlating with their reduced thickness. We conclude that the ability of E6 to target cellular PDZ proteins plays a critical role in maintaining mitotic stability of HPV infected cells, ensuring stable episome persistence and vegetative amplification.

Marsh|Elizabeth K|EK|
Delury|Craig P|CP|
Davies|Nicholas J|NJ|
Weston|Christopher J|CJ|
Miah|Mohammed A L|MAL|
Banks|Lawrence|L|
Parish|Joanna L|JL|
Higgs|Martin R|MR|
Roberts|Sally|S|

D020816:Amino Acid Motifs
D002478:Cells, Cultured
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins
D016679:Genome, Viral
D052161:Human papillomavirus 18
D006801:Humans
D015603:Keratinocytes
D008938:Mitosis
D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
D009154:Mutation
D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral
D054731:PDZ Domains
D010766:Phosphorylation
D011485:Protein Binding
D014779:Virus Replication

human papillomavirus
E6
PDZ proteins
HPV life cycle
mitosis


Exploring the association between anticipated and actual responses to disclosures of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.

Abstract: Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA) commonly disclose their experiences to friends or family members, or within other personal relationships. Disclosure recipients' responses to these disclosures are associated with victims' mental health. Previous research has separately measured both actual responses to IPV/SA and anticipated responses to IPV/SA (e.g., response to a hypothetical scenario) from the perspective of disclosure recipients. Yet, little research has described the association between disclosure recipients' anticipated and actual responses. The aim of the current paper was to use a prospective design to examine the association between disclosure recipients' anticipated and actual responses to IPV/SA, including positive and negative social reactions, perceptions of victim responsibility, empathy, and confusion and ineffectiveness about how to respond. Participants (N = 126 college students aged 18-23; 70.6% women) answered questions about their anticipated responses to a hypothetical IPV/SA disclosure scenario, and then six months later answered the same questions about their actual responses to an actual disclosure of IPV/SA. Although most anticipated and actual responses were significantly associated, associations were moderate in size. Some associations were stronger for participants with a closer relationship to the victim, for participants who had their own victimization history, for women, and for men. Individuals can predict their responses to some degree, but are not totally accurate in doing so.

Waterman|Emily A|EA|0000-0001-6214-223X
Dworkin|Emily R|ER|
Dardis|Christina M|CM|
Ullman|Sarah E|SE|
Edwards|Katie M|KM|
Rodriguez|Lindsey M|LM|

disclosure
intimate partner violence
sexual assault
social reactions
Dating violence
sexual violence
social support
victim blaming


GnRH-(1-5) activates matrix metallopeptidase-9 to release epidermal growth factor and promote cellular invasion.

Abstract: In the extracellular space, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is metabolized by the zinc metalloendopeptidase EC3.4.24.15 (EP24.15) to form the pentapeptide, GnRH-(1-5). GnRH-(1-5) diverges in function and mechanism of action from GnRH in the brain and periphery. GnRH-(1-5) acts on the orphan G protein-coupled receptor 101 (GPR101) to sequentially stimulate epidermal growth factor (EGF) release, phosphorylate the EGF receptor (EGFR), and facilitate cellular migration. These GnRH-(1-5) actions are dependent on matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) activity. Here, we demonstrated that these GnRH-(1-5) effects are dependent on increased MMP-9 enzymatic activity in the Ishikawa and ECC-1 cell lines. Furthermore, the effects of GnRH-(1-5) mediated by GPR101 and the subsequent increase in MMP-9 enzymatic activity lead to an increase in cellular invasion. These results suggest that GnRH-(1-5) and GPR101 regulation of MMP-9 may have physiological relevance in the metastatic potential of endometrial cancer cells.

Cho-Clark|Madelaine|M|
Larco|Darwin O|DO|
Zahn|Brian R|BR|
Mani|Shaila K|SK|
Wu|T John|TJ|

D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

GnRH
Endometrial
Cancer
Cell invasion
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)
Orphan receptor


Quantitative Detection of Disseminated Melanoma Cells by Trp-1 Transcript Analysis Reveals Stochastic Distribution of Pulmonary Metastases.

Abstract: A better understanding of the process of melanoma metastasis is required to underpin the development of novel therapies that will improve patient outcomes. The use of appropriate animal models is indispensable for investigating the mechanisms of melanoma metastasis. However, reliable and practicable quantification of metastases in experimental mice remains a challenge, particularly if the metastatic burden is low. Here, we describe a qRT-PCR-based protocol that employs the melanocytic marker Trp-1 for the sensitive quantification of melanoma metastases in the murine lung. Using this protocol, we were able to detect the presence of as few as 100 disseminated melanoma cells in lung tissue. This allowed us to quantify metastatic burden in a spontaneous syngeneic B16-F10 metastasis model, even in the absence of visible metastases, as well as in the autochthonous Tg(Grm1)/Cyld melanoma model. Importantly, we also observed an uneven distribution of disseminated melanoma cells amongst the five lobes of the murine lung, which varied considerably from animal to animal. Together, our findings demonstrate that the qRT-PCR-based detection of Trp-1 allows the quantification of low pulmonary metastatic burden in both transplantable and autochthonous murine melanoma models, and show that the analysis of lung metastasis in such models needs to take into account the stochastic distribution of metastatic lesions amongst the lung lobes.

Kyjacova|Lenka|L|
Saup|Rafael|R|
Rothley|Melanie|M|
Schmaus|Anja|A|0000-0002-5578-5808
Wagner|Tabea|T|
Boßerhoff|Anja|A|0000-0001-8147-394X
Garvalov|Boyan K|BK|0000-0003-0013-9064
Thiele|Wilko|W|0000-0002-8978-4192
Sleeman|Jonathan P|JP|

melanoma
Trp-1
metastasis
animal models
mice
lung


Transcription factors define the neuroanatomical organization of the medullary reticular formation.

Abstract: The medullary reticular formation contains large populations of inadequately described, excitatory interneurons that have been implicated in multiple homeostatic behaviors including breathing, viserosensory processing, vascular tone, and pain. Many hindbrain nuclei show a highly stereotyped pattern of localization across vertebrates suggesting a strong underlying genetic organization. Whether this is true for neurons within the reticular regions of hindbrain is unknown. Hindbrain neurons are derived from distinct developmental progenitor domains each of which expresses distinct patterns of transcription factors (TFs). These neuronal populations have distinct characteristics such as transmitter identity, migration, and connectivity suggesting developmentally expressed TFs might identify unique subpopulations of neurons within the reticular formation. A fate-mapping strategy using perinatal expression of reporter genes within Atoh1, Dbx1, Lmx1b, and Ptf1a transgenic mice coupled with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) were used to address the developmental organization of a large subset of reticular formation glutamatergic neurons. All hindbrain lineages have relatively large populations that extend the entire length of the hindbrain. Importantly, the location of neurons within each lineage was highly constrained. Lmx1b- and Dbx1- derived populations were both present in partially overlapping stripes within the reticular formation extending from dorsal to ventral brain. Within each lineage, distinct patterns of gene expression and organization were localized to specific hindbrain regions. Rostro-caudally sub-populations differ sequentially corresponding to proposed pseudo-rhombomereic boundaries. Dorsal-ventrally, sub-populations correspond to specific migratory positions. Together these data suggests the reticular formation is organized by a highly stereotyped developmental logic.

transcription factors
reticular formation
hindbrain
fate-mapping
brainstem
development
rhombomeres


The effects of Microcystis aeruginosa cells lysate containing microcystins on physiological and molecular responses in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract: Microcystins (MCs) are potent toxins produced by environmental cyanobacterial blooms. The present study evaluated the effects of a Microcystis aeruginosa cyanobacterial lysate containing 0.1, 1, and 10 μg L-1 MC-LR equivalent in the C. elegans Bristol N2 wild-type and the effects caused by equivalent concentrations of a MC-LR standard. The lysate was prepared from a culture of toxic strain (RST9501) originated from the Patos Lagoon Estuary (RS, Brazil). The minimal concentration necessary to cause significant effects in C. elegans under exposure to M. aeruginosa lysate or to MC-LR standard were, respectively, 10 and 0.1 μg L-1 MC-LR equivalent for growth and 10 and 1 μg L-1 MC-LR equivalent for fertility. Reproduction (ie, brood size) was only affected by the exposure to 10 μg L-1 MC-LR standard and was not affected by the lysate. The nematodes that were exposed to lysate containing 1 μg L-1 MC-LR equivalent or MC-LR were also analyzed for pharyngeal pumping and gene expression using RT-qPCR. The worms' rhythmic contractions of the pharynx were similarly affected by the lysate containing 1 μg L-1 of MC-LR equivalent and the MC-LR standard. The MC-LR standard caused down-regulation of genes related to growth (daf-16), fertility (spe-10), and biotransformation (gst-2). This is the first study to evaluate the effects of a toxic cyanobacterial lysate using the C. elegans model. This study suggests the organism as a potential biotest to evaluate toxicity of natural waters containing M. aeruginosa cells and to environmental risk assessment associated to cyanobacterial bloom events.

Microcystis aeruginosa
Caenorhabditis elegans
growth
fertility
gene expression
toxicology


Evolutionary dynamics of culturally transmitted, fertility-reducing traits.

Abstract: Human populations in many countries have undergone a phase of demographic transition, characterized by a major reduction in fertility at a time of increased resource availability. A key stylized fact is that the reduction in fertility is preceded by a reduction in mortality and a consequent increase in population density. Various theories have been proposed to account for the demographic transition process, including maladaptation, increased parental investment in fewer offspring, and cultural evolution. None of these approaches, including formal cultural evolutionary models of the demographic transitions, have addressed a possible direct causal relationship between a reduction in mortality and the subsequent decline in fertility. We provide mathematical models in which low mortality favours the cultural selection of low-fertility traits. This occurs because reduced mortality slows turnover in the model, which allows the cultural transmission advantage of low-fertility traits to outrace their reproductive disadvantage. For mortality to be a crucial determinant of outcome, a cultural transmission bias is required where slow reproducers exert higher social influence. Computer simulations of our models that allow for exogenous variation in the death rate can reproduce the central features of the demographic transition process, including substantial reductions in fertility within only one to three generations. A model assuming continuous evolution of reproduction rates through imitation errors predicts fertility to fall below replacement levels if death rates are sufficiently low. This can potentially explain the very low preferred family sizes in Western Europe.

Wodarz|Dominik|D|
Stipp|Shaun|S|
Hirshleifer|David|D|
Komarova|Natalia L|NL|

demographic transition
fertility
cultural evolution
computer simulations
mathematical biology


Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals from Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber.

Abstract: The aim was to explore the utilization of oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF) as a source for the production of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). OPMF was first treated with alkali and then bleached before the production of CNC by acid hydrolysis (H₂SO₄). The produced materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). It was proven that acid hydrolysis can increase the crystallinity of bleached OPMF and reduce the dimension of cellulose to nano scale. Changes in the peaks of the FTIR spectrum at 2852 (C-H stretching), 1732 (C=O stretching) and 1234 cm-1 (C-O stretching) indicated that the alkali treatment completely removed hemicelluloses and lignin from the fiber surface. This can be seen from the thermogram obtained from the TGA characterization. Morphological characterization clearly showed the formation of rod-shaped CNCs. The promising results prove that OPMF is a valuable source for the production of CNC.


Rutin attenuates gentamicin-induced renal damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy in rats.

Abstract: Gentamicin is commonly used against gram-negative microorganisms. Its therapeutic use is mainly limited by nephrotoxicity. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of rutin on oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The rats were treated with saline intraperitoneally (group I), 150 mg/kg of rutin orally (group II), 80 mg/kg of gentamicin intraperitoneally for 8 d (group III), or 150 mg/kg of rutin plus 80 mg/kg of gentamicin (group IV). The serum urea, creatinine, kidney malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and protein concentration were measured, and renal histopathology analysis and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Rutin pretreatment attenuated nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin by reducing the urea, creatinine, and MDA levels and increasing the SOD, CAT, and GPx activity, and the GSH levels. The rutin also inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cleaved caspase-3 and light chain 3B (LC3B), as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining. The present study demonstrates that rutin exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-autophagic effects and that it attenuates gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Kandemir|Fatih Mehmet|FM|
Ozkaraca|Mustafa|M|
Yildirim|Betul Apaydin|BA|
Hanedan|Basak|B|
Kirbas|Akin|A|
Kilic|Kubra|K|
Aktas|Esra|E|
Benzer|Fulya|F|

rutin
oxidative stress
apoptosis
autophagy
Gentamicin
nephrotoxicity


Simulation-Based Training for Residents in the Management of Acute Agitation: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
Simulations are used extensively in medicine to train clinicians to manage high-risk situations. However, to our knowledge, no studies have determined whether this is an effective means of teaching residents to manage acutely agitated patients. This study aimed to determine whether simulation-based training in the management of acute agitation improves resident knowledge and performance, as compared to didactic-based instruction.

METHODS
Following a standard lecture on the management of agitated patients, first-year psychiatry residents were randomized (in clusters of three to four residents) to either the intervention (n = 15) or control arm (n = 11). Residents in the intervention arm then received simulation-based training on the management of acute agitation using a scenario with an agitated standardized patient. Those in the control arm received simulation-based training on a clinical topic unrelated to the management of agitation using a scenario with a non-agitated standardized patient who had suffered a fall. Baseline confidence and knowledge were assessed using pre-intervention self-assessment questionnaires and open-ended clinical case vignettes. Efficacy of the intervention as a teaching tool was assessed with post-intervention open-ended clinical case vignettes and videotaped simulation-based assessment, using a different scenario of an agitated standardized patient.

RESULTS
Residents who received the agitation simulation-based training showed significantly greater improvement in knowledge (intervention = 3.0 vs. control = 0.3, p = 0.007, Cohen's d = 1.2) and performance (intervention = 39.6 vs control = 32.5, p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.6). Change in self-perceived confidence did not differ significantly between groups.

CONCLUSIONS
In this study, simulation-based training appeared to be more effective at teaching knowledge and skills necessary for the management of acutely agitated patients, as compared to didactic-based instruction alone. Subjective evaluations of confidence in these skills did not improve significantly compared to controls, corroborating the need for using objective outcome measures when assessing simulation-based training.

Vestal|Heather S|HS|
Sowden|Gillian|G|
Nejad|Shamim|S|
Stoklosa|Joseph|J|
Valcourt|Stephanie C|SC|
Keary|Christopher|C|
Caminis|Argyro|A|
Huffman|Jeff|J|

Residents
Agitation
Simulation
Psychiatry
Teaching methods


A deep learning ensemble for function prediction of hypothetical proteins from pathogenic bacterial species.

Abstract: Protein function prediction is a crucial task in the post-genomics era due to their diverse irreplaceable roles in a biological system. Traditional methods involved cost-intensive and time-consuming molecular biology techniques but they proved to be ineffective after the outburst of sequencing data through the advent of cost-effective and advanced sequencing techniques. To manage the pace of annotation with that of data generation, there is a shift to computational approaches which are based on homology, sequence and structure-based features, protein-protein interaction networks, phylogenetic profiles, and physicochemical properties, etc. A combination of these features has proven to be promising for protein function prediction in terms of improving prediction accuracy. In the present work, we have employed a combination of features based on sequence, physicochemical property, subsequence and annotation features with a total of 9890 features extracted and/or calculated for 171,212 reviewed prokaryotic proteins of 9 bacterial phyla from UniProtKB, to train a supervised deep learning ensemble model with the aim to categorize a bacterial hypothetical/unreviewed protein's function into 1739 GO terms as functional classes. The proposed system being fully dedicated to bacterial organisms is a novel attempt amongst various existing machine learning based protein function prediction systems based on mixed organisms. Experimental results demonstrate the success of the proposed deep learning ensemble model based on deep neural network method with F1 measure of 0.7912 on the prepared Test dataset 1 of reviewed proteins.

Mishra|Sarthak|S|
Rastogi|Yash Pratap|YP|
Jabin|Suraiya|S|
Kaur|Punit|P|
Amir|Mohammad|M|
Khatun|Shabnam|S|

D001419:Bacteria
D001426:Bacterial Proteins
D000077321:Deep Learning
D016571:Neural Networks, Computer

Deep learning
Function prediction
Hypothetical proteins
Deep neural network
Reviewed protein
Annotation based feature
LeakyRelu
Molecular function
Motif
Nadam
Physicochemical feature
Sequence based feature


Defining polypharmacy: in search of a more comprehensive determination method applied in a tertiary psychiatric hospital.

Abstract:
Aims
This cross-sectional pharmacoepidemiologic study examined the prevalence of polypharmacy and psychotropic polypharmacy among inpatients in a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Belgium.

Methods
Current prescriptions of all inpatients suffering from mental disorders were extracted from the hospital Computerized Physician Order Entry. Two methods were used to examine definitive polypharmacy (defined as the concomitant use of at least five medicines): number of medicines per active component and per prescription. Psychotropic polypharmacy was defined as the concomitant use of at least two psychotropic medicines, based on the first counting, i.e., per active component.

Results
In 292 included patients, the prevalence of definitive polypharmacy was 65.8%, with a mean number of 6.8 ± 4.2 medicines per patient. The most prevalent medicines were related to the central nervous system (55.7%), followed by medicines related to the gastro-intestinal (17.6%) and cardiovascular (9.4%) systems. A prevalence of psychotropic polypharmacy of 78.1% was observed, with a mean of 3.0 ± 1.7 psychotropic medicines per patient. Psychotropic polypharmacy was classified in same-class (71.5%), multi-class (82.5%), augmentation (20.6%), and adjuvant (35.5%) polypharmacy.

Conclusion
These findings are consistent with previous reports of highly prevalent polypharmacy in patients with mental disorders. Although, in some cases, polypharmacy can be an important part of good clinical practice, the high prevalence of both polypharmacy and psychotropic polypharmacy emphasizes that attention must be paid to the potentially associated risks. Consensus on the definition and method of determination of polypharmacy is needed to support further research.

polypharmacy
pharmacoepidemiology
psychotropic polypharmacy
psychiatry


Possible evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus and periodontal disease association mediated by Toll-like receptors 2 and 4.

Abstract: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) participate in the innate immune response and trigger the immune responses of the body. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology, characterized by an excessive autoimmune response in the body affecting the connective tissues. The disease is possibly triggered by both environmental aetiological factors and pathological organic processes such as exposure to sunlight, chronic infectious processes and genetic factors. Conversely, periodontal disease is an infectious disease caused by microorganisms in the oral cavity, resulting in a chronic inflammatory process which continuously stimulates the immune response, thus causing damage to the periodontal tissues. The expression of both TLR-2 and TLR-4 receptors are increased in both SLE and periodontal disease. Periodontitis might trigger excessive activation of immune response occurring in SLE by maintaining a high expression of TLRs, leading in turn to the acceleration of the onset and progression of autoimmune reactions. In addition, periodontal treatment is able to reduce the expression of these receptors and therefore the symptoms of SLE. Here we discuss the possible interaction between SLE and periodontitis, and suggest further studies evaluating common features in both factors that could explored, due to morbidity and mortality of SLE and the high incidence of periodontal infections around the world.

Marques|C P C|CP|
Maor|Y|Y|
de Andrade|M S|MS|
Rodrigues|V P|VP|
Benatti|B B|BB|

lupus erythematosus
periodontitis
Toll-like receptors
connective tissue


An Adult Brain Atlas Reveals Broad Neuroanatomical Changes in Independently Evolved Populations of Mexican Cavefish.

Abstract: A shift in environmental conditions impacts the evolution of complex developmental and behavioral traits. The Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus, is a powerful model for examining the evolution of development, physiology, and behavior because multiple cavefish populations can be compared to an extant, ancestral-like surface population of the same species. Many behaviors have diverged in cave populations of A. mexicanus, and previous studies have shown that cavefish have a loss of sleep, reduced stress, an absence of social behaviors, and hyperphagia. Despite these findings, surprisingly little is known about the changes in neuroanatomy that underlie these behavioral phenotypes. Here, we use serial sectioning to generate brain atlases of surface fish and three independent cavefish populations. Volumetric reconstruction of serial-sectioned brains confirms convergent evolution on reduced optic tectum volume in all cavefish populations tested. In addition, we quantified volumes of specific neuroanatomical loci within several brain regions that have previously been implicated in behavioral regulation, including the hypothalamus, thalamus, and habenula. These analyses reveal an enlargement of the hypothalamus in all cavefish populations relative to surface fish, as well as subnuclei-specific differences within the thalamus and prethalamus. Taken together, these analyses support the notion that changes in environmental conditions are accompanied by neuroanatomical changes in brain structures associated with behavior. This atlas provides a resource for comparative neuroanatomy of additional brain regions and the opportunity to associate brain anatomy with evolved changes in behavior.

Loomis|Cody|C|
Peuß|Robert|R|
Jaggard|James B|JB|
Wang|Yongfu|Y|
McKinney|Sean A|SA|
Raftopoulos|Stephan C|SC|
Raftopoulos|Austin|A|
Whu|Daniel|D|
Green|Matthew|M|
McGaugh|Suzanne E|SE|
Rohner|Nicolas|N|
Keene|Alex C|AC|
Duboue|Erik R|ER|

brain atlas
A. mexicanus
sleep
stress
hypothalamus
brain evolution
feeding


Between Traditions and Health: Beliefs and Perceptions of Health Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Among Selected Users in Nigeria.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
Snuffing or licking of smokeless tobacco (SLT) is one of the oldest traditional practices among the African population. This study aims to investigate the beliefs and practices related to SLT use among users in Nigeria. We also assess the awareness of the health consequences of SLT among users.

METHODS
A qualitative technique involving an in-depth interview was employed to collect data from SLT users from selected indigenous Nigerian populations in their traditional settings (Saki, Ile-Ife, Ibadan, and Abuja). The locations were purposively selected based on the researchers' knowledge of the prevalent use of SLT in those areas. A snowball sampling technique was employed to select the respondents. The data were imported into the ATLAS.ti computer software for analysis. The data were analyzed using inductive coding, and the results were presented thematically using network diagrams.

RESULTS
The findings revealed that the majority of SLT users believed that the practice had the following health benefits, among others: clearing of eyes and nose, aiding in sleep and rest, protecting against colds and nose bleeds and curing headaches. The users believed that SLT helped them 'feel high' or bold when afraid. The SLT users also believed that it protected them from evil spirit(s) and dangerous reptiles. The users believed that SLT had no negative health consequences, and SLT was generally preferred to smoking cigarettes.

CONCLUSION
The study concludes that there is a need to focus on the control of SLT because this product is a major alternative to tobacco smoking among indigenous African populations.

Adedigba|Michael Adewole|MA|
Aransiola|Joshua|J|
Arobieke|Regina I|RI|
Adewole|Olufemi|O|
Oyelami|Temitope|T|

D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Beliefs
perception
health effects
smokeless tobacco


Ergonomic conditions in manual harvesting in Swedish outdoor cultivation.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE
Ergonomic problems in manual labour in agriculture are well known worldwide. This study investigates the ergonomic conditions during manual work in Swedish outdoor vegetable/berry cultivation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
A questionnaire on work and health conditions was sent to all growers of vegetables and strawberries in Sweden. Workplace studies with video recordings and observations of work operations and positions at harvest were performed. Calculations of back compression and risk assessment for harmful impact of work were made. Employers and employees were interviewed.

RESULTS
Working standing/walking instead of kneeling when harvesting vegetables was shown to decrease lumbar compression. Using a conveyor belt instead of carrying a plastic box into the field for the harvested vegetables reduced harmful forward bends and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). When strawberries were grown in pots, the work position was a straight back and neck, with lowered arms. When grown on raised beds, the work position was either kneeling or bending forward with straight legs. When kneeling, the back was often bent or rotated, frequently with the arms far from the body. Bending forward with straight legs caused a harmful level of lumbar compression.

CONCLUSIONS
Harmful work postures arise during manual harvesting in Swedish outdoor cultivation. The risk can be reduced using mechanized work tools and optimal cultivation methods. Adequate work training, including instructions about optimal working postures and movements, may reduce the risk of MSD, but will most likely not eliminate it completely.

ergonomics
agriculture
questionnaire
musculoskeletal disorder
horticulture
posture analysis


Heavy metal loss from agricultural watershed to aquatic system: A scientometrics review.

Abstract: Heavy metal pollution in soil and aquatic environments has attracted widespread attention due to its persistence, accumulation in the food chain and negative effects on ecological and human health. However, analyses of the watershed-scale migration mechanisms of heavy metal loss from agricultural systems to aquatic systems have seldom been studied systematically. Therefore, this review summarizes the available data in the literature (2003-2017) using CiteSpace software to provide insights into the specific characteristics of heavy metal loss from agricultural watersheds to aquatic systems and consequently shows global development trends that scientists can use for establishing future research directions. As opposed to traditional review articles by experts, this study provides a new method for quantitatively visualizing information about the development of this field over the past decade. The results indicate that among all countries, China was the most active contributor with the most publications and cooperated the most with other countries. In addition, most articles were classified as environmental sciences and ecology, environmental sciences or agricultural studies. Furthermore, based on a keyword co-word analysis by CiteSpace, it was concluded that erosion-linked transport of heavy metals was the most influencing factor of mitigation mechanism. Additionally, the migration characteristics of heavy metals in farmland soils and water under the complex environment impacts of various factors such as climate change and land-use changes were of great significance that future studies should focus on.

Ouyang|Wei|W| Wang|Yidi|Y| Lin|Chunye|C| He|Mengchang|M| Hao|Fanghua|F| Liu|Hongbin|H| Zhu|Weihong|W|

Heavy metal
Aquatic environment
Agricultural system
CiteSpace
China
Diffuse pollution


Removal of glyphosate herbicide from water using biopolymer membranes.

Abstract: Enormous amounts of pesticides are manufactured and used worldwide, some of which reach soils and aquatic systems. Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide that is effective against all types of weeds and has been used for many years. It can therefore be found as a contaminant in water, and procedures are required for its removal. This work investigates the use of biopolymeric membranes prepared with chitosan (CS), alginate (AG), and a chitosan/alginate combination (CS/AG) for the adsorption of glyphosate present in water samples. The adsorption of glyphosate by the different membranes was investigated using the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetic models, as well as the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The membranes were characterized regarding membrane solubility, swelling, mechanical, chemical and morphological properties. The results of kinetics experiments showed that adsorption equilibrium was reached within 4 h and that the CS membrane presented the best adsorption (10.88 mg of glyphosate/g of membrane), followed by the CS/AG bilayer (8.70 mg of glyphosate/g of membrane). The AG membrane did not show any adsorption capacity for this herbicide. The pseudo-second order model provided good fits to the glyphosate adsorption data on CS and CS/AG membranes, with high correlation coefficient values. Glyphosate adsorption by the membranes could be fitted by the Freundlich isotherm model. There was a high affinity between glyphosate and the CS membrane and moderate affinity in the case of the CS/AG membrane. Physico-chemical characterization of the membranes showed low values of solubility in water, indicating that the membranes are stable and not soluble in water. The SEM and AFM analysis showed evidence of the presence of glyphosate on CS membranes and on chitosan face on CS/AG membranes. The results showed that the glyphosate herbicide can be adsorbed by chitosan membranes and the proposed membrane-based methodology was successfully used to treat a water sample contaminated with glyphosate. Biopolymer membranes therefore potentially offer a versatile method to eliminate agricultural chemicals from water supplies.

Carneiro|Rafael T A|RT|
Taketa|Thiago B|TB|
Gomes Neto|Reginaldo J|RJ|
Oliveira|Jhones L|JL|
Campos|Estefânia V R|EV|
de Moraes|Mariana A|MA|
da Silva|Camila M G|CM|
Beppu|Marisa M|MM|
Fraceto|Leonardo F|LF|

Glyphosate
Membranes
Chitosan
Alginate
Sorption
Water contamination


Multi-commutated fluorometric optosensor for the determination of citrinin in rice and red yeast rice supplements.

Abstract: Citrinin is a toxic secondary metabolite first isolated from Penicillium citrinum, although is also produced by other species of Penicillium and Aspergillus. It has highly toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic properties and is often found in crops, vegetables and fruit. To our knowledge there is no specific legislation on maximum levels permitted for citrinin, so no official analytical method is currently available for its determination. Our laboratory developed a fluorometric flow-through optosensor using Sephadex SPC-25 as solid support. Multi-commutated flow injection analysis was used for the construction of the manifold and for handling solutions. In this way, we minimised waste generation and human intervention, which are critical aspects when dealing with highly toxic compounds such as citrinin. The optimum excitation/emission wavelengths were set at 330/494 nm; the calibration curve was linear in the concentration range 35-900 ng ml⁻¹. A detection limit of 10.5 ng ml⁻¹ and relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 3% were obtained. The developed optosensor was applied to the determination of citrinin in rice and dietary supplements containing red yeast rice.

Jiménez-López|J|J|
Llorent-Martínez|E J|EJ|
Ortega-Barrales|P|P|
Ruiz-Medina|A|A|

D053000:Analytic Sample Preparation Methods

multi-commutation
rice
food
luminescence
mycotoxin
solid-phase spectroscopy


Inflammation as a Possible Link Between Dyslipidemia and Alzheimer's Disease.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. This pathological condition is characterized not only by Aβ and tau accumulation in the central nervous system (CNS), but also by inflammation, processes that can lead to neurodegeneration. Besides that, other factors may contribute to the development of AD, such as dyslipidemias. Changes in lipid levels can either influence the activity of enzymes related to the protein deposition that occurs in this pathological condition, or enhance the peripheral and CNS immune responses. Furthermore, cholesterol-associated genes are frequently associated with AD. Here, we extensively reviewed the literature and, based on the existing evidences, we suggest inflammation as an important link between dyslipidemias and AD.

de Oliveira|Antônio Carlos Pinheiro|ACP|

inflammation
dyslipidemia
Alzheimer’s disease
cholesterol
inflammasome
memory


Ex-ante Inequality of Opportunity in Child Malnutrition: New Evidence from Ten Developing Countries in Asia.

Abstract: This study explores the inequality of opportunity in child malnutrition in ten developing countries in Asia, where a high proportion of children still remain vulnerable to food insecurity. This study takes account of multidimensional aspects of household and parental socio-economic status, and partitions children into distinct types through a data-driven clustering method. This is followed by a comparison of the malnutrition rates between types. Next, we decompose the observed disparity into the factors that are associated with the between-type disparity in malnutrition rates through a non-linear decomposition method. The results indicate that in all 10 countries, significant between-type disparities are found. We find the largest difference in Pakistan as 21.7 percentage points and the smallest difference in Maldives as 5.9 percentage points. In five of the ten countries, the difference in household affluence explains the largest part of the observed between-type disparity. All the results suggest that priority should be given to protecting children from marginalised households in order to mitigate the inequality in child health.

Inequality of opportunity
Malnutrition
Asia
Clustering
Decomposition


Wearable IoT sensor based healthcare system for identifying and controlling chikungunya virus.

Abstract: Chikungunya is a vector borne disease that spreads quickly in geographically affected areas. Its outbreak results in acute illness that may lead to chronic phase. Chikungunya virus (CHV) diagnosis solutions are not easily accessible and affordable in developing countries. Also old approaches are very slow in identifying and controlling the spread of CHV outbreak. The sudden development and advancement of wearable internet of things (IoT) sensors, fog computing, mobile technology, cloud computing and better internet coverage have enhanced the quality of remote healthcare services. IoT assisted fog health monitoring system can be used to identify possibly infected users from CHV in an early phase of their illness so that the outbreak of CHV can be controlled. Fog computing provides many benefits such as low latency, minimum response time, high mobility, enhanced service quality, location awareness and notification service itself at the edge of the network. In this paper, IoT and fog based healthcare system is proposed to identify and control the outbreak of CHV. Fuzzy-C means (FCM) is used to diagnose the possibly infected users and immediately generate diagnostic and emergency alerts to users from fog layer. Furthermore on cloud server, social network analysis (SNA) is used to represent the state of CHV outbreak. Outbreak role index is calculated from SNA graph which represents the probability of any user to receive or spread the infection. It also generates warning alerts to government and healthcare agencies to control the outbreak of CHV in risk prone or infected regions. The experimental results highlight the advantages of using both fog computing and cloud computing services together for achieving network bandwidth efficiency, high quality of service and minimum response time in generation of real time notification as compared to a cloud only model.

Chikungunya
Fog computing
Cloud computing
Fuzzy-C means
Social network analysis


Antidepressant-like effect of Kyllinga brevifolia rhizomes in male mice and chemical characterization of the components of the active ethyl acetate fraction.

Abstract:
ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Kyllinga brevifolia rhizomes (Cyperaceae) are used in Paraguayan traditional medicine as a refreshing beverage, and is claimed to own digestive, diuretic, sedative, tonic, antispasmodic and sudorific properties. We have previously reported that its hydro- ethanolic rhizome extract possess sedative, anxiolytic and anti-aggressive-like effects in mice. However, information on its potential for treatment of syndromes associated with mood disorders is scarce.

AIM OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to characterize the putative antidepressant-like effects of the hydro-ethanolic extract (CEKb) and the ethyl acetate fraction (KbF-ethyl-ac) obtained from the rhizome of K. brevifolia (Rottb) on male mice exposed to forced swimming test. Also, chemical characterization of the components of the active ethyl acetate fraction was described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The antidepressant-like effects of CEKb and KbF-ethyl-ac were measured using the forced swimming test (FST) performance of male mice in single (acute), short-term and chronic modalities. Treatments in all modalities were made 1h before swimming test. The KbF-ethyl-ac was analyzed by LC-DAD-ESI-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS in order to identify the active components.

RESULTS
A single doses (1.0, 10.0 and 100.0mg/kg, p.o; p<0.05) of CEKb, in male mice provoked a significant reduction of the immobility time. Such effect was also observed with oral short-term treatment (7 days) with doses of 10.0 and 100.0mg/kg/day (p<0.05) of CEKb. Moreover, in the treatments during 14 days with doses of 1.0 (p<0.05), 10.0 (p<0.05), and 100.0 (p<0.001) mg/kg, p.o, of CEKb, a statistically significant reduction of the immobility time were induced. Additionally, in a different set of experiments acute dose of 1.0 (p<0.05) and 10.0 (p<0.01) mg/kg, p.o, of KbF-ethyl-ac in male mice, a significant reduction of the immobility time were provoked. Likewise, short-term treatment (7 days) with 1.0, and 10.0mg/kg (p<0.05); and after 14 days of treatment with 0.01 (p<0.01) 0.1 (p<0.001), 1.0 (p<0.001), and 10.0 (p<0.05) mg/kg of KbF-ethyl-ac in male mice, a statistically significant reduction of the immobility time, were observed. Imipramine 32mg/kg/days, i.p, induced a statistically significant reduction of immobility time and was used as positive control to validate the method employed. Moreover, it was noted important differences in the onset of the antidepressant-like effect in the FST, depending on the modality of treatment with CEKb or KbF-ethyl-ac (acute, short-term or chronic). Both, efficacy and potency were higher when repeated administration of CEKb was used, and surprisingly the efficacy of 1.0mg/kg of KbF-ethyl-ac (14 days) was similar to imipramine. The main constituents of the KbF-ethyl-ac were identified as catechins and their dimers by LC-DAD-ESI-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS, according to their UV and MS spectra, as compared with the literature data. These results indicate an important antidepressant-like profile of action for the CEKb and KbF-ethyl-ac; and meanwhile, this effect may partially reside on catechins and their dimers isolated from the KbF-ethyl-ac.

CONCLUSION
These findings indicate that K. brevifolia exerts antidepressant -like effects in mice and suggest its potential usefulness for the treatment of depression in humans and encourage us to pursue the isolation of the molecules associated to the effect observed in CEKb and KbF-ethyl-ac, and to determine the mechanism of antidepressant-like effect of Kyllinga brevifolia using adequate complementary test.

Hellión-Ibarrola|M C|MC|
Montalbetti|Y|Y|
Heinichen|O Y|OY|
Kennedy|M L|ML|
Campuzano|M A|MA|
Alvarenga|N|N|
Ibarrola|D A|DA|

Kyllinga brevifolia
Forced swimming test
Antidepressant


Cell-free prototyping strategies for enhancing the sustainable production of polyhydroxyalkanoates bioplastics.

Abstract: The polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are microbially-produced biopolymers that could potentially be used as sustainable alternatives to oil-derived plastics. However, PHAs are currently more expensive to produce than oil-derived plastics. Therefore, more efficient production processes would be desirable. Cell-free metabolic engineering strategies have already been used to optimize several biosynthetic pathways and we envisioned that cell-free strategies could be used for optimizing PHAs biosynthetic pathways. To this end, we developed several Escherichia coli cell-free systems for in vitro prototyping PHAs biosynthetic operons, and also for screening relevant metabolite recycling enzymes. Furthermore, we customized our cell-free reactions through the addition of whey permeate, an industrial waste that has been previously used to optimize in vivo PHAs production. We found that the inclusion of an optimal concentration of whey permeate enhanced relative cell-free GFPmut3b production by approximately 50%. In cell-free transcription-translation prototyping reactions, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry quantification of cell-free 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) production revealed differences between the activities of the Native ΔPhaC_C319A (1.18 ± 0.39 µM), C104 ΔPhaC_C319A (4.62 ± 1.31 µM) and C101 ΔPhaC_C319A (2.65 ± 1.27 µM) phaCAB operons that were tested. Interestingly, the most active operon, C104 produced higher levels of PHAs (or PHAs monomers) than the Native phaCAB operon in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Coupled cell-free biotransformation/transcription-translation reactions produced greater yields of 3HB (32.87 ± 6.58 µM), and these reactions were also used to characterize a Clostridium propionicum Acetyl-CoA recycling enzyme. Together, these data demonstrate that cell-free approaches complement in vivo workflows for identifying additional strategies for optimizing PHAs production.

Kelwick|Richard|R|0000-0002-0054-6893
Ricci|Luca|L|
Chee|Soo Mei|SM|
Bell|David|D|
Webb|Alexander J|AJ|
Freemont|Paul S|PS|

polyhydroxyalkanoates
biopolymers
whey permeate
cell-free transcription–translation
synthetic biology


Preliminary Attempt to Predict Risk of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients with Influenza: Decision Trees May Help?

Abstract: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is typically considered a disease of immunocompromised patients, but, recently, many cases have been reported in patients without typical risk factors. The aim of our study is to develop a risk predictive model for IPA through machine learning techniques (decision trees) in patients with influenza. We conducted a retrospective observational study analyzing data regarding patients diagnosed with influenza hospitalized at the University Hospital "Umberto I" of Rome during the 2018-2019 season. We collected five IPA cases out of 77 influenza patients. Although the small sample size is a limit, the most vulnerable patients among the influenza-infected population seem to be those with evidence of lymphocytopenia and those that received corticosteroid therapy.

invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
influenza
decision trees
machine learning
EORTC/MSG
Italy
antifungal drugs
risk score


Ex vivo evaluation of new 2D and 3D dental radiographic technology for detecting caries.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
Proximal dental caries remains a prevalent disease with only modest detection rates by current diagnostic systems. Many new systems are available without controlled validation of diagnostic efficacy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of three potentially promising new imaging systems.

METHODS
This study evaluated the caries detection efficacy of Schick 33 (Sirona Dental, Salzburg, Austria) intraoral digital detector images employing an advanced sharpening filter, Planmeca ProMax(®) (Planmeca Inc., Helsinki, Finland) extraoral "panoramic bitewing" images and Sirona Orthophos XG3D (Sirona Dental) CBCT images with advanced artefact reduction. Conventional photostimulable phosphor images served as the control modality. An ex vivo study design using extracted human teeth, ten expert observers and micro-CT ground truth was employed.

RESULTS
Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated similar diagnostic efficacy of all systems (ANOVA p > 0.05). The sensitivity of the Schick 33 images (0.48) was significantly lower than the other modalities (0.53-0.62). The specificity of the Planmeca images (0.86) was significantly lower than Schick 33 (0.96) and XG3D (0.97). The XG3D showed significantly better cavitation detection sensitivity (0.62) than the other modalities (0.48-0.57).

CONCLUSIONS
The Schick 33 images demonstrated reduced caries sensitivity, whereas the Planmeca panoramic bitewing images demonstrated reduced specificity. XG3D with artefact reduction demonstrated elevated sensitivity and specificity for caries detection, improved depth accuracy and substantially improved cavitation detection. Care must be taken to recognize potential false-positive caries lesions with Planmeca panoramic bitewing images. Use of CBCT for caries detection must be carefully balanced with the presence of metal artefacts, time commitment, financial cost and radiation dose.

Gaalaas|Laurence|L|
Tyndall|Donald|D|
Mol|André|A|
Everett|Eric T|ET|
Bangdiwala|Ananta|A|

D016477:Artifacts
D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
D003731:Dental Caries
D006801:Humans
D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional
D008422:Materials Testing
D012372:ROC Curve
D016300:Radiography, Bitewing
D011861:Radiography, Dental
D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital
D011862:Radiography, Panoramic
D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D013674:Technology, Dental
D013679:Technology, Radiologic
D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens
D055114:X-Ray Microtomography

dental caries
MicroCT
bitewing radiography
cone-beam CT
radiography, dental


Vitamin D status and surgical outcomes: a systematic review.

Abstract: The importance of vitamin D for musculoskeletal health has long been recognized, and awareness of significant extra-skeletal effects in health and disease is rapidly emerging. Although it has been possible for many decades to quantify serum markers of vitamin D deficiency, and to correct deficiency at low cost and with high safety, the influence of vitamin D status on post-surgical outcomes has only recently been identified as a research topic of interest. To the present, these data have not been the subject matter of formal review. Accordingly, we conducted a systematic review to assess the association between perioperative vitamin D status and outcomes after surgery. The databases of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL (EBSCOHost), The Cochrane Databases of Systematic Review, and PROSPERO were searched through December, 2014 for studies relating to vitamin D and surgery. The initial search yielded 90 manuscripts. After applying exclusion criteria, 31 studies were eligible for inclusion. Fifteen studies employed prospective observational designs, 3 used prospective randomized protocols, and 13 report retrospective database interrogations. The main finding of the present review is that 26 of 31 studies (84%) report at least one statistically significant worse outcome in patients with low vitamin D status. Five of 31 studies (16%) found no association. In conclusion, this review supports the hypothesis that hypovitaminosis D is associated with adverse outcomes after diverse surgical procedures. Future studies should focus on additional surgeries and outcomes, and on the role of vitamin D supplementation in the improvement of patient safety in participants with low vitamin D status at the time of surgery.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) level


Nuclear Mechanisms Involved in Endocrine Resistance.

Abstract: Endocrine therapy is a standard treatment offered to patients with ERα (estrogen receptor α)-positive breast cancer. In endocrine therapy, ERα is either directly targeted by anti-estrogens or indirectly by aromatase inhibitors which cause estrogen deficiency. Resistance to these drugs (endocrine resistance) compromises the efficiency of this treatment and requires additional measures. Endocrine resistance is often caused by deregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and/or cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 activities allowing inhibitors of these factors to be used clinically to counteract endocrine resistance. The nuclear mechanisms involved in endocrine resistance are beginning to emerge. Exploring these mechanisms may reveal additional druggable targets, which could help to further improve patients' outcome in an endocrine resistance setting. This review intends to summarize our current knowledge on the nuclear mechanisms linked to endocrine resistance.

estrogen receptor
cancer stem cells
chromatin accessibility
fulvestrant
tamoxifen
transcription factors
transcriptional reprogramming


Evaluation of Estrogenic Activity of Extract from the Herbal Mixture Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley, Phlomis umbrosa Turczaninow, and Angelica gigas Nakai.

Abstract: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) consists of highly effective prescription medications for treating menopausal symptoms; however, these agents have exhibited side effects including the risk of estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. Therefore, interest in phytotherapy-based materials as a natural source of alternatives to estrogen therapy has increased. However, some of these herbal medicines have been reported to increase the risk of estrogen-induced cancer. Herbal formulations composed of a combination of Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley (CW), Phlomis umbrosa Turczaninow (PU), and Angelica gigas Nakai (AG) extracts (CPAE) have been used for treating menopausal symptoms. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to examine the safety of CPAE by determining its potential adverse estrogenic activity using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) test guideline 455 (TG455) in a stably transfected transcriptionally activated human estrogen receptor α (hERα)-HeLa9903 cell model. We found that CPAE did not how any estrogenic activity or stimulate promoters containing estrogen response elements in MCF-7 cells. In addition, CPAE showed no significant selective activity against hERα and hERβ, non-selective activity against the ER, or effects on ER target gene expression. Furthermore, CPAE did not significantly induce MCF-7 cell proliferation and uterine weight increase in ovariectomized rats. These results demonstrate that CPAE can be used as beneficial herbal drug for prevention and therapeutic intervention of estrogen carcinogenesis in menopausal women.

Kim|Se Jong|SJ|
Jin|Sun Woo|SW|
Lee|Gi-Ho|GH|
Kim|Yong An|YA|
Jeong|Hye Gwang|HG|

Estrogenic activity
Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley
Phlomis umbrosa Turczaninow
Angelica gigas Nakai
Estrogen receptor


Photoactivatable Platinum-Based Anticancer Drugs: Mode of Photoactivation and Mechanism of Action.

Abstract: Platinum-based anticancer drugs are a class of widely used agents in clinical cancer treatment. However, their efficacy was greatly limited by their severe side effects and the arising drug resistance. The selective activation of inert platinum-based drugs in the tumor site by light irradiation is able to reduce side effects, and the novel mechanism of action of photoactivatable platinum drugs might also conquer the resistance. In this review, the recent advances in the design of photoactivatable platinum-based drugs were summarized. The complexes are classified according to their mode of action, including photoreduction, photo-uncaging, and photodissociation. The rationale of drug design, dark stability, photoactivation process, cytotoxicity, and mechanism of action of typical photoactivatable platinum drugs were reviewed. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for designing more potent photoactivatable platinum drugs were discussed.

anticancer
photoactivatable platinum drugs
photoactivate chemotherapy
prodrugs


Effect of saccharin on inflammation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the related mechanism.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Excessive intake of simple sugars induces obesity and increases the risk of inflammation. Thus, interest in alternative sweeteners as a sugar substitute is increasing. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of saccharin on inflammation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

MATERIALS/METHODS
3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes. The adipocytes were treated with saccharin (0, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL) for 24 h. Inflammation was induced by exposure of treated adipocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 18 h and cell proliferation was measured. The concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was measured by using Griess reagent. Protein expressions of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and inhibitor κB (IκB) were determined by western blot analysis. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by real-time PCR.

RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the amount of NO and the mRNA expression of iNOS in the LPS-treated group were increased by about 17.6% and 46.9%, respectively, (P < 0.05), and those parameter levels were significantly decreased by saccharin treatment (P < 0.05). Protein expression of NF-κB was decreased and that of IκB was increased by saccharin treatment (P < 0.05). Saccharin decreased the mRNA expression of COX-2 and the inflammation cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF-α) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that saccharin can inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory responses in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via the NF-κB pathway.

Saccharin
inflammation
adipocytes
cytokine
NF-kappa B


Letter to the editor for the article "Auto-injector needle length may be inadequate to deliver epinephrine intramuscularly in women with confirmed food allergy".

Abstract: Letter to the Editor for "Auto-injector needle length may be inadequate to deliver epinephrine intramuscularly in women with confirmed food allergy" by Tsai et al. There are limitations of this study note mentioning such as method of compression, role of propulsion, defining those patients who are at risk of prophylaxis and future studies.

Auto-injector
Needle length
Epinephrine
Anaphylaxis


Association between characteristics of physical activity in leisure time and obesity in Brazilians adults and elderly.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
To verify the association of obesity with volume, intensity and types of physical activity in leisure time among Brazilian adults and elderly.

STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional study, with a secondary analysis of data from "Surveillance of Risk Factors and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey".

METHODS
The target population comprised adults aged ≥18 years. The outcome was obesity (BMI≥30.0 kg/m²) and the exposures were the volume, intensity, and main type of physical activity in leisure time. Binary logistic regression was used and the results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI95%), with a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS
Compared to inactive, the highest volume of leisure time physical activity (≥300min/week) had a lower occurrence of obesity in adults (OR=0.76; CI95%: 0.63, 0.92; p=0.001) and elderly (OR=0.62; CI95%: 0.46, 0.82; p=0.001). In adults, vigorous activities (OR=0.65; CI95%: 0.55, 0.78; p<0.001) and, in the elderly, light/moderate activities (OR=0.75; CI95%: 0.62, 0.89; p<0.001) and vigorous (OR=0.54; CI95%: 0.37, 0.78; p<0.001) presented protective effect for obesity. Among the types of physical activity, running was the most strongly associated with a lower occurrence of obesity in adults (OR=0.54; CI95%: 0.32, 0.92; p=0.024) and elderly (OR=0.27; CI95%: 0.10, 0.69; p=0.006). In adults, strength training (p<0.001), gymnastics (p=0.032) and sports (p=0.013) and in elderly, walking (p=0.001) and sports (p=0.003) also had protective effect.

CONCLUSION
A greater volume, vigorous intensity and physical activities of a structuring character and intensity progression, such as running, were associated with the lower occurrence of obesity.

da Silva|Robert Passos|RP|
Del Duca|Giovani Firpo|GF|
Delevatti|Rodrigo Sudatti|RS|
Streb|Anne Ribeiro|AR|
Malta|Deborah Carvalho|DC|

obesity
cross-sectional studies
Motor activity
leisure activities


Structures and processes necessary for providing effective home treatment to severely mentally ill persons: a naturalistic study.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Home treatment for severely mentally ill persons is becoming increasingly popular. This research aims to identify structures and processes in home treatment that impact on patient-related outcomes.

METHODS
We analysed 17 networks that provide home treatment to severely mentally ill persons using a naturalistic approach. The networks were similar with regard to central components of home treatment such as case management, 24 h crisis hotline and home visits, but differed in all other aspects such as the multidisciplinary teams, time spent with patients, etc. To determine treatment outcome, patients' psychosocial functioning was measured using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS). Structures and processes were assessed using claims data and questionnaires answered by the different networks. Primary outcome was highlighted by the change in HoNOS scores from the start of home treatment compared with 6 months later. We sought to explain this outcome through patient and network characteristics using regression analysis. Data on 3,567 patients was available.

RESULTS
On average, psychosocial functioning improved by 0.84 across networks between t0 and t1. There were more similarities than differences between the networks with regard to the structures and processes that we tested. A univariate regression analysis found staff's prior experience in mental health care and the effort that they invested in their work correlated positively with patient outcome. This needs to be interpreted under considering that univariate analysis does not show causal relationship. A high case load per case manager, increased and longer patient contact and more family intervention were correlated with worse patient outcome, probably indicating that sicker patients receive more care and intervention.

CONCLUSION
Home treatment networks succeed in delivering care tailored to the needs of patients. In order to improve the quality of care in home treatment, this study suggests employing experienced staff who is ready to invest more effort in their patients. Further research needs to consider a longer follow-up time.

Bauer|E|E| Kleine-Budde|K|K| Stegbauer|C|C| Kaufmann-Kolle|P|P| Goetz|K|K| Bestmann|B|B| Szecsenyi|J|J| Bramesfeld|A|A|

Claims data
Quality of care
Health services research
Integrated care
Mental health services
Quality assessment


The determinants of immigrant health insurance in the United States: Understanding the role of health care in origin societies.

Abstract: We examine how immigrants' health insurance in the United States is shaped by institutional traits of the health care systems in their origin societies. Conditional on a wide range of individual, country-of-origin, state-level, and temporal controls, we find the affordability of health care back home helps explain immigrants' US health coverage. Specifically, low- and middle-income migrants from countries with less affordable health care are more likely to get private insurance once in the United States and, correspondingly, less likely to have public coverage, relative to migrants from countries with more affordable care. The relationship conforms to multiple hypotheses. As predicted by the institutional beliefs hypothesis, migrants from countries with less affordable care might anticipate equally expensive health services in the United States and, in turn, insure themselves against high medical bills. Likewise, as predicted by the endogenous preferences hypothesis, migrants from countries with less affordable care might be accustomed to paying more for health care and, in turn, be less reluctant to pay for private health insurance. Overall, the findings underscore the relevance of migrants' past health care experiences in their origin societies in informing their health insurance in the United States even years after migration.

D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants
D006296:Health Services
D006297:Health Services Accessibility
D006801:Humans
D019458:Insurance Coverage
D007348:Insurance, Health
D014481:United States

immigrants
affordability
country of origin
health insurance coverage
income


Picture Me Smokefree: a qualitative study using social media and digital photography to engage young adults in tobacco reduction and cessation.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Young adults have high rates of tobacco use compared to other subpopulations, yet there are relatively few tobacco interventions specifically targeted to this group. Picture Me Smokefree is an online tobacco reduction and cessation intervention for young adults that uses digital photography and social networking.

OBJECTIVE
The main goal of the project was to determine the feasibility of engaging young adults in participating in user-driven, online forums intended to provide peer support and motivate critical reflection about tobacco use and cessation among this high-use, hard-to-reach population. A related aim was to explore the influence of gender-related factors on participation, in order to determine the need for online interventions to be tailored to the specific gender preferences reflecting young men and women's participation styles.

METHODS
A total of 60 young adults ages 19-24 years who self-identified as current cigarette smokers or who had quit within the last year were recruited from across British Columbia, Canada, and participated in an online photo group on Facebook over a period of 12 consecutive weeks. A variety of data collection methods were used including tracking online activity, a brief online follow-up survey, and qualitative interviews with study participants. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics on recruitment, retention, and participation and qualitative (eg, narrative analysis, synthesis of feedback) feedback about participant engagement.

RESULTS
Findings from this study suggest good potential for Facebook as an accessible, low-cost platform for engaging young adults to reflect on the reasons for their tobacco use, the benefits of quitting or reducing, and the best strategies for tobacco reduction. Young adults' frequent use of mobile phones and other mobile devices to access social networking permitted ease of access and facilitated real-time peer-to-peer support across a diverse group of participants. However, our experience of conducting the study suggests that working with young tobacco users can be accompanied by considerable recruitment, participation, and retention challenges. Our findings also pointed to differences in how young women and men engaged the photo-group intervention that should be considered, bearing in mind that in follow-up interviews participants indicated their preference for a mixed gender and "gender neutral" group format.

CONCLUSIONS
Tobacco interventions for youth and young adults should be embedded within the existing social networking platforms they access most frequently, rather than designing a stand-alone online prevention or intervention resource. This subpopulation would likely benefit from tobacco reduction interventions that are gender-sensitive rather than gender-specific.

young adults
tobacco use
Facebook
participatory visual methods
smoking cessation


Significant clinicopathologic prognostic factors for bladder recurrence, progression, and cancer-specific survival after surgery among patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

Abstract:
Purpose
This study aimed to identify prognostic factors for outcomes after radical nephroureterectomy among patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Materials and Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 184 nonmetastatic cases of UTUC after radical nephroureterectomy, bladder cuffing, and/or partial cystectomy (2004-2016). Bladder recurrence-free survival (BRFS), disease progression-free survival (DPFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were estimated. The prognostic values of clinicopathologic parameters were evaluated by using Cox logistic regression analysis.

Results
The median BRFS, DPFS, and CSS values were 19.0 months, 38.5 months, and 67.0 months, respectively. We identified cases of bladder recurrence (64 cases, 34.8%), disease progression (54 cases, 29.3%), and cancer-specific death (23 cases, 12.5%). BRFS was independently associated with lymphovascular invasion (hazard ratio [HR], 0.421); DPFS was associated with intravesical instillation (HR, 0.290), active smoking (HR, 0.367), synchronous bladder lesions (HR, 2.355), and pT2 (HR, 5.199) and pT3 and pT4 (HR, 13.281) stages; and CSS was associated with alkaline phosphatase levels (HR, 0.966). Among 123 cases without previous bladder cancer, DPFS was associated with intravesical instillation (HR, 0.264), multifocal ureteral tumors (HR, 4.823), and pT3 and pT4 stages (HR, 10.899), whereas CSS was associated with pTis (HR, 32.071).

Conclusions
Patients with the factors we identified should receive adjuvant intravesical/systemic chemotherapy and intensive surveillance.

Survival
Nephroureterectomy
Prognosis
Risk factors
Ureteral neoplasms


Live-cell high resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy for in vivo analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa metabolomics.

Abstract: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a pathogenic gram-negative bacterium that is widespread in nature, inhabiting soil, water, plants and animals. PA is a prevalent cause of deleterious human infections, particularly in patients whose host defense mechanisms have been compromised. Metabolomics is an important tool used to study host-pathogen interactions and to identify novel therapeutic targets and corresponding compounds. The aim of the present study was to report the metabolic profile of live PA bacteria using in vivo high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), in combination with 1- and 2-dimensional HRMAS NMR. This methodology provides a new and powerful technique to rapidly interrogate the metabolome of intact bacterial cells and has several advantages over traditional techniques that identify metabolome components from disrupted cells. Furthermore, application of multidimensional HRMAS NMR, in combination with the novel technique total through-Bond correlation Spectroscopy (TOBSY), is a promising approach that may be used to obtain in vivo metabolomics information from intact live bacterial cells and can mediate such analyses in a short period of time. Moreover, HRMAS 1H NMR enables the investigation of the associations between metabolites and cell processes. In the present study, we detected and quantified several informative metabolic molecules in live PA cells, including N-acetyl, betaine, citrulline, alanine and glycine, which are important in peptidoglycan synthesis. The results provided a complete metabolic profile of PA for future studies of PA clinical isolates and mutants. In addition, this in vivo NMR biomedical approach might have clinical utility and should prove useful in gene function validation, the study of pathogenetic mechanisms, the classification of microbial strains into functional/clinical groups, the testing of anti-bacterial agents and the determination of metabolic profiles of bacterial mutants.

Righi|Valeria|V|
Constantinou|Caterina|C|
Kesarwani|Meenu|M|
Rahme|Laurence G|LG|
Tzika|Aria A|AA|

total through bond correlation spectroscopy


Behavioral change in waste separation at source in an international community: An application of the theory of planned behavior.

Abstract: Analysing and understanding the factors that influence the behavior of waste separation is critical to improved waste management. This study identified the factors behind behavioral change in waste separation at source in an international community. The theory of planned Behavior (TPB) was adopted to conduct a self-report questionnaire survey twice, in which 354 residents participated at Time1 and 331 at Time 2, with a retention rate of 93.5%. The questionnaires were designed based on TPB with additional questions regarding waste separation rules in the community, experience of waste separation, and environmental knowledge. With the questionnaire data and follow-up qualitative interviews, factors related to waste separation through factor analysis and structural equation modelling and text mining were specified. The panel data collected over three months demonstrated the changes in attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control that affect behavioral intention in the process of behavior adaption. Combined with interview data, the reasons for these changes can be further attributed to individuals' environmental knowledge and community guidelines. The findings imply that policies targeting environmental education and rulemaking are effective to help residents form more positive intentions towards waste separation.

Hu|Jiarong|J| Tang|Kelvin|K| Qian|Xuepeng|X| Sun|Furong|F| Zhou|Weisheng|W|

Theory of Planned Behavior international community


Treatment of pelvic cavity pain caused by endometriosis with excision of invaded sacrospinous ligament.

Abstract:
Objective
To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effects of excision of invaded sacrospinous ligament on pelvic cavity pain caused by endometriosis.

Methods
Eighty endometriotic patients treated in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2014 were chosen, and divided into a control group and an observation group. Regular operation (i.e. excision of endometriotic nidus and separation of pelvic cavity adhesion) was performed for the control group, while regular operation and sacrospinous ligament excision were conducted for the observation group. Intraoperative and postoperative conditions as well as postoperative pain remission of both groups were compared.

Results
For the amount of bleeding during operation, the control group was (120±5.2) ml, while the observation group was (160±4.0) ml. For the duration of operation, the control group was (65±3.4) minutes, while the observation group was (92±2.6) min (p<0.05), with a significant difference. For the independent urination time after operation, the control group was (32±8.8) hour, while the observation group was (33±6.4) hour. For the evacuation time after operation, the control group was (38±2.6) hour, while the observation group was (39±3.0) hour (p>0.05), with a significant difference. The postoperative VAS scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those before operation, and the VAS score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group, p<0.05.

Conclusions
Sacrospinous ligament excision relieved pain caused by endometriosis, so it may be applicable to the endometriosis patients with sacrospinous ligament infiltration or severe pain.

Pain
Endometriosis
Sacrospinous ligament excision