Evidence for Busines Intelligence in Health Care: A Literature Review.

Abstract: This paper outlines a systematic literature review undertaken to establish current evidence regarding the impact of Business Intelligence (BI) on health system decision making and organizational performance. The review also examined BI implementation factors contributing to these constructs. Following the systematic review, inductive content analysis was used to categorize themes within the eight articles identified. This study demonstrated there is little evidence based literature focused on BI impact on organizational decision making and performance within health care. There was evidence found that BI does improve decision making. Implementation success was found to be dependent on several factors, many of which relate to broader organizational culture and readiness.

D003132:Commerce
D003659:Decision Making, Organizational
D003695:Delivery of Health Care

health
Business intelligence
decision making
analytics
outcomes


Association between socioeconomic status and oral health behaviors: The 2008-2010 Korea national health and nutrition examination survey.

Abstract: Socioeconomic status (SES) has been reported to be associated with oral health behavior. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the relationship between SES and oral health behaviors in a large sample of the Korean population. Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted between 2008 and 2010 by the Division of Chronic Disease Surveillance under the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, were used in the present study. Daily tooth brushing frequency and the use of secondary oral products according to demographic variables and anthropometric characteristics of the participants were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the associations between daily tooth brushing frequency and the use of secondary oral products, and SES, urban/rural residence, body mass index (BMI), alcohol intake and smoking. An association between SES and tooth brushing frequency and the use of secondary oral products was detected after adjustment. Following adjustment for age, gender, BMI, smoking, drinking, exercise, energy intake, fat intake, periodontal treatment needs and education or income, the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of tooth brushing ≥3 per day in the highest income group were 1.264 (95% CI, 1.094-1.460) and 2.686 (95% CI, 2.286-3.155) for highest education level group. The adjusted odds ratios for the use of secondary oral products in the highest income and highest education groups were 1.835 (95% CI, 1.559-2.161) and 5.736 (95% CI, 4.734-6.951), respectively, after adjustment for age, gender, smoking, BMI, exercise, calorie intake, periodontal treatment requirements or income. The present study demonstrated an association between SES and oral health behaviors in a large sample of the Korean population. Within the limits of the present study, income and education were suggested as potential risk indicators for oral health behaviors; therefore, patients with a low SES should be investigated further, in relation to oral health.

Park|Jun-Beom|JB| Han|Kyungdo|K| Park|Yong-Gyu|YG| Ko|Youngkyung|Y|

oral health
epidemiology
oral hygiene
social class


Diffraction Techniques in Structural Biology.

Abstract: A detailed understanding of chemical and biological function and the mechanisms underlying the molecular activities ultimately requires atomic-resolution structural data. Diffraction-based techniques such as single-crystal X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and neutron diffraction are well established and they have paved the road to the stunning successes of modern-day structural biology. The major advances achieved in the last twenty years in all aspects of structural research, including sample preparation, crystallization, the construction of synchrotron and spallation sources, phasing approaches, and high-speed computing and visualization, now provide specialists and nonspecialists alike with a steady flow of molecular images of unprecedented detail. The present unit combines a general overview of diffraction methods with a detailed description of the process of a single-crystal X-ray structure determination experiment, from chemical synthesis or expression to phasing and refinement, analysis, and quality control. For novices it may serve as a stepping-stone to more in-depth treatises of the individual topics. Readers relying on structural information for interpreting functional data may find it a useful consumer guide. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray
D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
D008854:Microscopy, Electron
D008967:Molecular Biology
D033363:Neutron Diffraction
D014961:X-Ray Diffraction

diffraction
structural biology
X-ray crystallography
electron microscopy
crystallization
neutron scattering


A new paramagnetically shifted imaging probe for MRI.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
To develop and characterize a new paramagnetic contrast agent for molecular imaging by MRI.

METHODS
A contrast agent was developed for direct MRI detection through the paramagnetically shifted proton magnetic resonances of two chemically equivalent tert-butyl reporter groups within a dysprosium(III) complex. The complex was characterized in phantoms and imaged in physiologically intact mice at 7 Tesla (T) using three-dimensional (3D) gradient echo and spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) sequences to measure spatial distribution and signal frequency.

RESULTS
The reporter protons reside ∼6.5 Å from the paramagnetic center, resulting in fast T1 relaxation (T1  = 8 ms) and a large paramagnetic frequency shift exceeding 60 ppm. Fast relaxation allowed short scan repetition times with high excitation flip angle, resulting in high sensitivity. The large dipolar shift allowed direct frequency selective excitation and acquisition of the dysprosium(III) complex, independent of the tissue water signal. The biokinetics of the complex were followed in vivo with a temporal resolution of 62 s following a single, low-dose intravenous injection. The lower concentration limit for detection was ∼23 μM. Through MRSI, the temperature dependence of the paramagnetic shift (0.28 ppm.K-1 ) was exploited to examine tissue temperature variation.

CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate a new MRI agent with the potential for physiological monitoring by MRI. Magn Reson Med 77:1307-1317, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Senanayake|P Kanthi|PK|
Rogers|Nicola J|NJ|
Finney|Katie-Louise N A|KN|
Harvey|Peter|P|
Funk|Alexander M|AM|
Wilson|J Ian|JI|
O'Hogain|Dara|D|
Maxwell|Ross|R|
Parker|David|D|
Blamire|Andrew M|AM|

D000818:Animals
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor
D003287:Contrast Media
D004419:Dysprosium
D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
D008422:Materials Testing
D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate
D051379:Mice
D008819:Mice, Nude
D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques
D015335:Molecular Probes
D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental
D009928:Organ Specificity
D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D014018:Tissue Distribution

paramagnetic shift
contrast agent
molecular imaging
temperature mapping


The Prevalence of Abnormal Spinopelvic Relationships in Patients Presenting for Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract:
Background
The prevalence of an abnormal spinopelvic relationship in patients presenting for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not well known. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of abnormal spinopelvic relationships in patients presenting for primary THA.

Methods
A retrospective chart review of 338 consecutive, nonselected patients undergoing primary THA from the practice of 2 fellowship-trained adult reconstruction surgeons was performed (J.E.O. and T.S.B.). Sitting and standing radiographs were measured for lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SSstand), and pelvic tilt; the sacral slope was also measured on sitting radiographs (SSsit). Patients were assessed for the presence of spinopelvic imbalance, defined as PI-LL>10°, and decreased spinopelvic motion, defined as SSstand-SSsit< 10°. Descriptive statistics were reported.

Results
A cohort of 338 patients was identified; 110 were excluded. In total, 228 unique patients underwent measurement. One hundred one of 228 patients (44.3%) in the cohort were female. The mean age of the cohort was 60.0 ± 13 years, with the mean body mass index of 31 ± 7 mg/kg2. Spinopelvic imbalance (PI-LL > 10°) was present in 142 of 228 patients (62.3%). Decreased motion at the spinopelvic junction (SSstand-SSsit < 10°) was present in 78 of 228 patients (34.2%). Fifty (21.9%) patients had both spinopelvic imbalance and decreased spinopelvic motion.

Conclusions
In a cohort of 228 patients presenting for primary THA, the prevalence of spinopelvic imbalance was 62.3%, the prevalence of decreased spinopelvic motion was 34.2%, and the prevalence of both spinopelvic imbalance and decreased spinopelvic motion was 22%. Hip surgeons are likely to encounter patients with abnormal spinopelvic relationships.

Carender|Christopher N|CN|
Meyer|Matthew D|MD|
Wynn|Malynda S|MS|
Bedard|Nicholas A|NA|
Otero|Jesse E|JE|
Brown|Timothy S|TS|

Spinopelvic
Relationship
Primary total hip arthroplasty
Dual mobility
Instability


The Estrogen-Responsive Transcriptome of Female Secondary Sexual Traits in the Gulf Pipefish.

Abstract: Sexual dimorphism often results from hormonally regulated trait differences between the sexes. In sex-role-reversed vertebrates, females often have ornaments used in mating competition that are expected to be under hormonal control. Males of the sex-role-reversed Gulf pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli) develop female-typical traits when they are exposed to estrogens. We aimed to identify genes whose expression levels changed during the development and maintenance of female-specific ornaments. We performed RNA-sequencing on skin and muscle tissue in male Gulf pipefish with and without exposure to estrogen to investigate the transcriptome of the sexually dimorphic ornament of vertical iridescent bands found in females and estrogen-exposed males. We further compared differential gene expression patterns between males and females to generate a list of genes putatively involved in the female secondary sex traits of bands and body depth. A detailed analysis of estrogen-receptor binding sites demonstrates that estrogen-regulated genes tend to have nearby cis-regulatory elements. Our results identified a number of genes that differed between the sexes and confirmed that many of these were estrogen-responsive. These estrogen-regulated genes may be involved in the arrangement of chromatophores for color patterning, as well as in the growth of muscles to achieve the greater body depth typical of females in this species. In addition, anaerobic respiration and adipose tissue could be involved in the rigors of female courtship and mating competition. Overall, this study generates a number of interesting hypotheses regarding the genetic basis of a female ornament in a sex-role-reversed pipefish.

Anderson|Andrew P|AP|
Rose|Emily|E|
Flanagan|Sarah P|SP|
Jones|Adam G|AG|

transcriptome
estrogen
secondary sex trait
hormone response element
sex-role reversal


Development of the Gut Microbiome in Children, and Lifetime Implications for Obesity and Cardiometabolic Disease.

Abstract: Emerging evidence suggests that microbiome composition and function is associated with development of obesity and metabolic disease. Microbial colonization expands rapidly following birth, and microbiome composition is particularly variable during infancy. Factors that influence the formation of the gut microbiome during infancy and childhood may have a significant impact on development of obesity and metabolic dysfunction, with life-long consequences. In this review, we examine the determinants of gut microbiome composition during infancy and childhood, and evaluate the potential impact on obesity and cardiometabolic risk.

Mohammadkhah|Anica I|AI|
Simpson|Eoin B|EB|
Patterson|Stephanie G|SG|
Ferguson|Jane F|JF|0000-0001-6896-1025

microbiome
obesity
cardiometabolic disease


Polymer Optical Fiber Bragg Gratings in CYTOP Fibers for Angle Measurement with Dynamic Compensation.

Abstract: This paper demonstrates the use of polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs) for angle measurements over a range of different oscillatory frequencies. The POFBGs are inscribed in low-loss, cyclic transparent amorphous fluoropolymers (CYTOP) and are imprinted using the direct-write, plane-by-plane femtosecond laser inscription method. As the polymer has a viscoelastic response and given that the Young's modulus depends on the oscillatory frequency, a compensation technique for sensor frequency cross-sensitivity and hysteresis is proposed and verified. Results show that the proposed compensation technique is able to provide a root mean squared error (RMSE) reduction of 44%, and a RMSE as low as 2.20° was obtained when compared with a reference potentiometer. The hysteresis reduction provided by the proposed technique is 55%, with hysteresis <0.01. The results presented in this paper can pave the way for movement analysis with POFBG providing higher sensitivity and low hysteresis over a large range of motion frequencies.

polymer optical fiber
fiber Bragg gratings
CYTOP
hysteresis
curvature sensor


Light-Wavelength-Based Quantitative Control of Dihydrofolate Reductase Activity by Using a Photochromic Isostere of an Inhibitor.

Abstract: Photopharmacology has attracted research attention as a new tool for achieving optical control of biomolecules, following the methods of caged compounds and optogenetics. We have developed an efficient photopharmacological inhibitor-azoMTX-for Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (eDHFR) by replacing some atoms of the original ligand, methotrexate, to achieve photoisomerization properties. This fine molecular design enabled quick structural conversion between the active "bent" Z isomer of azoMTX and the inactive "extended" E isomer, and this property afforded quantitative control over the enzyme activity, depending on the wavelength of irradiating light applied. Real-time photoreversible control over enzyme activity was also achieved.

photochromism
inhibitors
photopharmacology
methotrexate
azobenzenes
enzyme catalysis


Hypogammaglobulinemia in newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Natural history, clinical correlates, and outcomes.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Although hypogammaglobulinemia is a well recognized complication in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), its prevalence at the time of CLL diagnosis, and association with novel prognostic markers and clinical outcome is not well understood.

METHODS
All patients at the Mayo Clinic between January 1999 and July 2013 who had newly diagnosed CLL and had a baseline assessment of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) were included. The relation between hypogammaglobulinemia at diagnosis and the novel prognostic parameters time to first treatment (TFT) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated.

RESULTS
Of 1485 patients who met the eligibility criteria, 382 (26%) had hypogammaglobulinemia (median IgG, 624 mg/dL), whereas the remaining 1103 patients (74%) had normal serum IgG levels (median IgG, 1040 mg/dL). Patients who had hypogammaglobulinemia at diagnosis were more likely to have advanced Rai stage (III-IV; P = .001) and higher expression of CD49d (P < .001) compared with patients who had normal IgG levels. Although the median TFT for patients who had hypogammaglobulinemia was shorter compared with that for patients who had normal IgG levels (3.8 years vs 7.4 years; P < .001), on multivariable analysis, there was no difference in OS between these 2 groups (12.8 years vs 11.3 years, respectively; P = .73). Of 1103 patients who had CLL with normal IgG levels at diagnosis and who did not receive CLL therapy, the risk of acquired hypogammaglobulinemia was 11% at 5 years and 23% at 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS
Hypogammaglobulinemia is present in 25% of patients with newly diagnosed CLL. Approximately 25% of patients who have CLL with normal IgG levels at diagnosis will subsequently develop hypogammaglobulinemia on long-term follow-up. The presence of hypogammaglobulinemia does not appear to impact overall survival.

Parikh|Sameer A|SA|
Leis|Jose F|JF|
Chaffee|Kari G|KG|
Call|Timothy G|TG|
Hanson|Curtis A|CA|
Ding|Wei|W|
Chanan-Khan|Asher A|AA|
Bowen|Deborah|D|
Conte|Michael|M|
Schwager|Susan|S|
Slager|Susan L|SL|
Van Dyke|Daniel L|DL|
Jelinek|Diane F|DF|
Kay|Neil E|NE|
Shanafelt|Tait D|TD|

D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell

hypogammaglobulinemia
chronic lymphocytic leukemia
outcomes
prognostic markers
immune dysregulation


Antimicrobial and Structural Properties of Metal Ions Complexes with Thiosemicarbazide Motif and Related Heterocyclic Compounds.

Abstract: Antibiotic resistance acquired by various bacterial fungal and viral pathogens poses therapeutic problems of increasing severity. Among the infections that are very difficult to treat, biofilm-associated cases are one of the most hazardous. Complex structure of a biofilm and unique physiology of the biofilm cells contribute to their extremely high resistance to environmental conditions, antimicrobial agents and the mechanisms of host immune response. Therefore, the biofilm formation, especially by multidrugresistant pathogens, is a serious medical problem, playing a pivotal role in the development of chronic and recurrent infections. These factors create a limitation for using traditional chemiotherapeutics and contribute to a request for development of new approaches for treatment of infectious diseases. Therefore, early reports on antimicrobial activity of several complexes of metal ions, bearing thiosemicarbazide or thiosemicarbazones as the ligands, gave a boost to worldwide search for new, more efficient compounds of this class, to be used as alternatives to commonly known drugs. In general, depending on the presence of other heteroatoms, these ligands may function in a di-, tri- or tetradentate forms (e.g., of N,S,-, N,N,S-, N,N,N,S-, N,N,S,S-, or N,S,O-type), which impose different coordination geometries to the resultant complexes. In the first part of this review, we describe the ways of synthesis and the structures of the ligands based on the thiosemicarbazone motif, while the second part deals with the antimicrobial activity of their complexes with selected metal ions.

Namiecińska|Ewelina|E| Sobiesiak|Marta|M| Małecka|Magdalena|M| Guga|Piotr|P| Rozalska|Barbara|B| Budzisz|Elzbieta|E|

Thiosemicarbazide derivatives
antibacterial
antibiotic-resistance
antifungal
antimicrobial properties
antiviral
structures of metal ions complexes
thiosemicarbazone.


Predictive single nucleotide polymorphism markers for acute oral mucositis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the susceptibility of severe oral mucositis (OM) in Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with radiotherapy and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the whole genome. SNPs were screened in a total of 24 patients with NPC and an additional 6 were subjected to mRNA expression analysis. Patients were subdivided into CTC 0-2 (CTC toxicity grade 0, 1, and 2) and CTC 3+ (CTC toxicity grade 3 and above) groups according to their CTC (common toxicity criteria) scores. The GTEx dataset was used to performed eQTL analyses and in-vitro functional assays were performed for eQTL-associated genes. Our data identified 7 functional SNPs associated with the development of OM. We observed that rs11081899-A, located in the 5'-UTR of the ZNF24 gene, was significantly correlated with a higher risk of severe mucositis (OR = 14.631, 95% CI = 2.61-105.46, p = 1.2 × 10-4), and positively associated with ZNF24 mRNA expression (p = 4.1 × 10-6) from GTEx dataset. In addition, high ZNF24 mRNA expression was associated with severe OM in patients with NPC (p = 0.02). Further functional assays revealed that ZNF24 knockdown reduced p65 expression and suppressed TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokines release. These findings suggested that rs11081899-A may be a genetic susceptibility factor for radiation-induced OM in patients with NPC, although its value in clinical application needs to be further verified in a large cohort. Also, we suggested that downregulation of ZNF24 may attenuate the development of mucositis by suppressing NF-κB activation.

Le|Ziyu|Z| Niu|Xiaoshuang|X| Chen|Ying|Y| Ou|Xiaomin|X| Zhao|Guoqi|G| Liu|Qi|Q| Tu|Wenzhi|W| Hu|Chaosu|C| Kong|Lin|L| Liu|Yong|Y|

oral mucositis
nasopharyngeal carcinoma
radiotherapy
ZNF24
genetic polymorphism


Tissue Temperature Increases by a 10 kHz Spinal Cord Stimulation System: Phantom and Bioheat Model.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
A recently introduced Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system operates at 10 kHz, faster than conventional SCS systems, resulting in significantly more power delivered to tissues. Using a SCS heat phantom and bioheat multi-physics model, we characterized tissue temperature increases by this 10 kHz system. We also evaluated its Implanted Pulse Generator (IPG) output compliance and the role of impedance in temperature increases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The 10 kHz SCS system output was characterized under resistive loads (1-10 KΩ). Separately, fiber optic temperature probes quantified temperature increases (ΔTs) around the SCS lead in specially developed heat phantoms. The role of stimulation Level (1-7; ideal pulse peak-to-peak of 1-7mA) was considered, specifically in the context of stimulation current Root Mean Square (RMS). Data from the heat phantom were verified with the SCS heat-transfer models. A custom high-bandwidth stimulator provided 10 kHz pulses and sinusoidal stimulation for control experiments.

RESULTS
The 10 kHz SCS system delivers 10 kHz biphasic pulses (30-20-30 μs). Voltage compliance was 15.6V. Even below voltage compliance, IPG bandwidth attenuated pulse waveform, limiting applied RMS. Temperature increased supralinearly with stimulation Level in a manner predicted by applied RMS. ΔT increases with Level and impedance until stimulator compliance was reached. Therefore, IPG bandwidth and compliance dampen peak heating. Nonetheless, temperature increases predicted by bioheat multi-physic models (ΔT = 0.64°C and 1.42°C respectively at Level 4 and 7 at the cervical segment; ΔT = 0.68°C and 1.72°C respectively at Level 4 and 7 at the thoracic spinal cord)-within ranges previously reported to effect neurophysiology.

CONCLUSIONS
Heating of spinal tissues by this 10 kHz SCS system theoretically increases quickly with stimulation level and load impedance, while dampened by IPG pulse bandwidth and voltage compliance limitations. If validated in vivo as a mechanism of kHz SCS, bioheat models informed by IPG limitations allow prediction and optimization of temperature changes.

spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
heating
RMS
Bio-heat Multi-physics FEM


Structural damage and functional reorganization in ipsilesional m1 in well-recovered patients with subcortical stroke.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Both structural atrophy and functional reorganization of the primary motor cortex (M1) have been reported in patients with subcortical infarctions affecting the motor pathway. However, the relationship between structural impairment and functional reorganization in M1 remains unclear.

METHODS
Twenty-six patients exhibiting significant recovery after subcortical infarctions were investigated using multimodal MRI techniques. Structural impairment was assessed via cortical thickness, and functional reorganization was analyzed using task-evoked activation, amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, and resting-state functional connectivity.

RESULTS
Compared with healthy controls, patients with stroke exhibited reduced cortical thickness in the ipsilesional M1; however, this region exhibited increased task-evoked activation, amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, and resting-state functional connectivity in these patients. Patients with stroke demonstrated increased task-evoked activation in another ipsilesional M1 region, in which increased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and resting-state functional connectivity were observed. The structural and functional changes in M1 were located selectively in the ipsilesional hemisphere.

CONCLUSIONS
We provide convincing evidence that indicates extensive functional reorganization in the ipsilesional M1 of patients with chronic subcortical infarctions, including the structurally impaired M1 region.

Zhang|Jing|J| Meng|Liangliang|L| Qin|Wen|W| Liu|Ningning|N| Shi|Fu-Dong|FD| Yu|Chunshui|C|

motor cortex
cerebral infarction
functional neuroimaging
magnetic resonance imaging
neuronal plasticity


Toward mucoadhesive hydrogel formulations for the management of xerostomia: the physicochemical, biological, and pharmacological considerations.

Abstract: Although hydrogel formulations that may be applied to many mucosal surfaces are now readily accessible, little research effort has been concentrated on the development of systems that may be usefully employed for the prolonged hydration of the oral cavity. To this end, and set within the context of oral care in general, this review considers the requirements for the design of hydrogel formulations with an affinity for buccal cells and details methods for evaluating the performance of these formulations as treatments for the management of xerostomia.

Tsibouklis|John|J|
Middleton|Andrew M|AM|
Patel|Nisha|N|
Pratten|Jonathan|J|

D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate

mucoadhesive hydrogel
xerostomia
oral care
dental care
hyposalivation


Jonathan Rosen: building a dynamic union-based health and safety program.

Abstract: Jonathan Rosen has spent more than 30 years building union-based health and safety programs. In the 1970s he was a union activist. In 1980 he became a union health and safety committee chair at a Milwaukee manufacturing firm. Following that, he had a nearly 20-year career with the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF). He trained as an industrial hygienist and developed a highly regarded public sector union-based health and safety program. PEF's Health and Safety Department supported a network of union health and safety committees. Program accomplishments included innovative work on workplace violence prevention, indoor environmental quality, infectious diseases, and ergonomics. Mr. Rosen promoted collaboration among unions, helped support new activists, advocated tirelessly for injured workers, and formed an effective alliance with researchers. Rosen discusses essential strategies for mobilizing union members and gaining commitment to health and safety from unions, employers, and policy makers.

D000062:Accidents, Occupational
D006801:Humans
D007750:Labor Unions
D009784:Occupational Diseases
D016272:Occupational Health
D009937:Organizational Objectives
D016730:Program Development
D017751:Safety Management
D014481:United States

safety and health
safety net
workers' rights


Association between risk perception, subjective knowledge, and depression in community-dwelling elderly people in Japan.

Abstract: Risk perception is one of the core factors in theories of health behavior promotion. However, the association between knowledge, risk perception, and depressed mood in depression is unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships between subjective knowledge, risk perception, and objective scores of depression in community-dwelling elderly people in Japan. A total of 747 elderly participants (mean age: 76.1, female: 59.8%) who completed the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) along with items assessing subjective knowledge and risk perception were included in the analysis. We assessed the correlation between subjective knowledge and risk perception, and then compare GDS-15 scores by level of subjective knowledge and risk perception. Subjective knowledge was weakly associated with risk perception and related to lower GDS-15 scores in a dose-response pattern, which did not change after adjusting for age, gender, basic activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL, years of education and history of depression. There was no significant association between risk perception and GDS-15 scores. The relationship between knowledge, risk perception, and depressed mood in younger generations is unclear, but warrants examination.

Imai|Hissei|H| Okumiya|Kiyohito|K| Fukutomi|Eriko|E| Wada|Taizo|T| Ishimoto|Yasuko|Y| Kimura|Yumi|Y| Chen|Wen-Ling|WL| Tanaka|Mire|M| Sakamoto|Ryota|R| Fujisawa|Michiko|M| Matsubayashi|Kozo|K|

Aged
Attitude to health
Community health service
Mood disorder
Risk assessment


Robust segmentation of arterial walls in intravascular ultrasound images using Dual Path U-Net.

Abstract: A Fully Convolutional Network (FCN) based deep architecture called Dual Path U-Net (DPU-Net) is proposed for automatic segmentation of the lumen and media-adventitia in IntraVascular UltraSound (IVUS) frames, which is crucial for diagnosis of many cardiovascular diseases and also for facilitating 3D reconstructions of human arteries. One of the most prevalent problems in medical image analysis is the lack of training data. To overcome this limitation, we propose a twofold solution. First, we introduce a deep architecture that is able to learn using a small number of training images and still achieves a high degree of generalization ability. Second, we strengthen the proposed DPU-Net by having a real-time augmentor control the image augmentation process. Our real-time augmentor contains specially-designed operations that simulate three types of IVUS artifacts and integrate them into the training images. We exhaustively assessed our twofold contribution over Balocco's standard publicly available IVUS 20 MHz and 40 MHz B-mode dataset, which contain 109 training image, 326 test images and 19 training images, 59 test images, respectively. Models are trained from scratch with the training images provided and evaluated with two commonly used metrics in the IVUS segmentation literature, namely Jaccard Measure (JM) and Hausdorff Distance (HD). Experimental results show that DPU-Net achieves 0.87 JM, 0.82 mm HD and 0.86 JM, 1.07 mm HD over 40 MHz dataset for segmenting the lumen and the media, respectively. Also, DPU-Net achieves 0.90 JM, 0.25 mm HD and 0.92 JM, 0.30 mm HD over 20 MHz images for segmenting the lumen and the media, respectively. In addition, DPU-Net outperforms existing methods by 8-15% in terms of HD distance. DPU-Net also shows a strong generalization property for predicting images in the test sets that contain a significant amount of major artifacts such as bifurcations, shadows, and side branches that are not common in the training set. Furthermore, DPU-Net runs within 0.03 s to segment each frame with a single modern GPU (Nvidia GTX 1080). The proposed work leverages modern deep learning-based method for segmentation of lumen and the media vessel walls in both 20 MHz and 40 MHz IVUS B-mode images and achieves state-of-the-art results without any manual intervention. The code is available online at https://github.com/Kulbear/IVUS-Ultrasonic.

Segmentation
Intravascular
Ultrasound
DPU-Net
IVUS
Real-time augmentor
Dual Path UNet


Effect of phosphoric acid content on the microstructure and compressive strength of phosphoric acid-based metakaolin geopolymers.

Abstract: The phosphoric acid-based metakaolin geopolymers were prepared by regulating H3PO4/Al2O3 ratios. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimeter (TG-DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine the reaction process and phase formation. The results showed that the metakaolin calcined from Kaolinite mainly consisted of quartz crystalline phase and amorphous phase. The diffraction peak for quartz obviously became lower with the increasing of H3PO4/Al2O3 ratios. The excessive quartz from metakaolin did not totally take part in the chemical reaction. The polymeric structure of -P-O-Si-O-Al-O constitutes the main building block of phosphoric acid-based metakaolin geopolymeric structure. The optimized compressive strength was 29 ± 2 MPa with H3PO4/Al2O3 molar ratio = 1.3:1. The simulation of the total deformation under 29 MPa load and the total heat flux at 1400 °C of the phosphoric acid-based metakaolin geopolymers with H3PO4/Al2O3 molar ratio of 1.3:1 based on finite element method verified the failure mechanism and the excellent thermal stability at high temperature.

Gao|Li|L| Zheng|Youxiong|Y| Tang|Yan|Y| Yu|Jianwei|J| Yu|Xingchang|X| Liu|Bingxin|B|

Phosphoric acid
Metakaolin
Geopolymers
Amorphous phase
Materials chemistry
Materials science


ENResNet: A novel residual neural network for chest X-ray enhancement based COVID-19 detection.

Abstract: Recently, people around the world are being vulnerable to the pandemic effect of the novel Corona Virus. It is very difficult to detect the virus infected chest X-ray (CXR) image during early stages due to constant gene mutation of the virus. It is also strenuous to differentiate between the usual pneumonia from the COVID-19 positive case as both show similar symptoms. This paper proposes a modified residual network based enhancement (ENResNet) scheme for the visual clarification of COVID-19 pneumonia impairment from CXR images and classification of COVID-19 under deep learning framework. Firstly, the residual image has been generated using residual convolutional neural network through batch normalization corresponding to each image. Secondly, a module has been constructed through normalized map using patches and residual images as input. The output consisting of residual images and patches of each module are fed into the next module and this goes on for consecutive eight modules. A feature map is generated from each module and the final enhanced CXR is produced via up-sampling process. Further, we have designed a simple CNN model for automatic detection of COVID-19 from CXR images in the light of 'multi-term loss' function and 'softmax' classifier in optimal way. The proposed model exhibits better result in the diagnosis of binary classification (COVID vs. Normal) and multi-class classification (COVID vs. Pneumonia vs. Normal) in this study. The suggested ENResNet achieves a classification accuracy  and  for binary classification and multi-class detection respectively in comparison with state-of-the-art methods.

COVID-19
Pneumonia
Deep learning
Chest X-ray image
Image enhancement
ResNet


Current FDA regulatory guidance on the conduct of drug discrimination studies for NDA review: Does the scientific literature support recent recommendations?

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The Controlled Substances Staff of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the US Food and Drug Administration and the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers Association (PhRMA) conducted a series of open forum dialog sessions between 2006 and 2016. A Cross Company Abuse Liability Council (CCALC) was formed during the process of this unique collaborative effort between Industry and Federal Regulators whose goals were to establish the development of standards for the preclinical screening of new molecular entities for schedule control actions required as part of every New Drug Application process. The draft guidance document was published and disseminated in 2010, which allowed for alternative approaches to each study protocol requirement needed for NDA review, if the approach satisfied the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations (i.e., the controlled substance act). In a series of recent pre-study protocol reviews requested by confidential Pharmaceutical Sponsors of MPI Research, the CSS staff appeared to change its policy and set forth to require all drug discrimination study data to be generated under "extinction" test sessions. MPI Research is a Contract Research Organization acting on behalf of pharmaceutical companies and bound under separate confidentiality agreements.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this review is to highlight the data appearing in peer-reviewed scientific journals that do not support the regulatory administrative constraints on one specific testing methodology (extinction) to the exclusion of another (reinforced test sessions).

CONCLUSION
This mind shift represents a restrictive administrative policy by the FDA that is not supported by the published data.

Gauvin|David V|DV|
Zimmermann|Zachary J|ZJ|
Kallman|Mary Jeanne|MJ|

D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration

FDA
Drug discrimination
New drug application
Extinction
Reinforced test session
DEA
Drug control policy
Stimulus control


Delayed Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage After Treatment of Skull Base Tumors: Case Series of 9 Patients.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks usually happen in the early postoperative period. However, delayed CSF leak can happen several years after treatment. The purpose of this study was to review the characteristics and clinical course of delayed CSF leak after treating skull base tumors.

METHODS
We treated 9 patients with delayed CSF leak (occurring at least 3 months after treatment) between December 2015 and February 2018. Clinical data including initial treatment modality for skull base tumor, time between treatment and CSF rhinorrhea, and the result of endoscopic CSF repair were evaluated by retrospective chart review.

RESULTS
Nine patients with delayed CSF leak were evaluated. The mean age was 42.3 ± 5.2 (mean ± SD) years. Six patients with pituitary adenomas, 1 with a Rathke cleft cyst, 1 with a meningioma, and 1 with an osteosarcoma were enrolled. Seven patients (78%) received radiation, and the mean radiation dose was 55.7 ± 2.6 Gy. The median time between the end of treatment for the skull base tumor and CSF rhinorrhea was 137.0 (interquartile range 24-145) months. Seven patients (78%) had meningitis at the time of operation. CSF rhinorrhea was treated with endoscopic reconstruction using a multilayer technique. Meningitis was improved without neurologic sequelae after reconstruction and antibiotic therapy. One patient had recurrence of CSF leak.

CONCLUSION
Patients with delayed CSF leak are more likely to have a history of radiation and to present with meningitis at diagnosis. Therefore, CSF rhinorrhea should always be suspected, even several years after treatment, if early symptoms of CSF leak develop in patients with a history of skull base tumor.

Lee|Jung Joo|JJ|
Kim|Hyo Yeol|HY|
Dhong|Hun-Jong|HJ|
Chung|Seung-Kyu|SK|
Kong|Doo-Sik|DS|
Nam|Do-Hyun|DH|
So|Yoon Kyoung|YK|
Hong|Sang Duk|SD|

Delayed
Cerebrospinal fluid
Reconstruction
Endoscopic repair


Emulsions as delivery systems for gamma and delta tocotrienols: Formation, properties and simulated gastrointestinal fate.

Abstract: Tocotrienols have been reported to have stronger bioactivities than tocopherols, and may therefore be suitable as a potent source of vitamin E in functional foods, supplements, and pharmaceuticals. However, their inclusion into new products is hindered by their low water-solubility and oral bioavailability. Oil-in-water emulsions (O/W) could provide an adequate delivery system for these bioactive compounds. Tocotrienols were tested in bulk oil and within O/W conventional emulsions (>10μm) and nanoemulsions (<350nm). The emulsions were prepared with medium chain triglycerides (MCT) as an oil phase (5 to 40% wt) and quillaja saponins as a natural surfactant. The gastrointestinal fate of the emulsion-based delivery systems was investigated using a simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The physical properties of the emulsions (color, apparent viscosity) were affected with increased droplet concentration. The lipid phase composition (emulsion type and particle size) had a pronounced impact on the microstructure of the emulsions in different regions of the GIT. At simulated small intestine conditions, the rate of lipid digestion and tocotrienol bioaccessibility decreased in the following order: nanoemulsions>emulsions>bulk oil. These results suggest that emulsions containing small lipid droplets are particularly suitable for delivering tocotrienols.

Xu|Fei|F|
Pandya|Janam K|JK|
Chung|Cheryl|C|
McClements|David Julian|DJ|
Kinchla|Amanda J|AJ|

Emulsions
Delivery systems
Tocotrienols
Vitamin E


An antioxidant specifically targeting mitochondria delays progression of Alzheimer's disease-like pathology.

Abstract: Mitochondrial aberrations are observed in human Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in medical conditions that increase the risk of this disorder, suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to pathophysiology of AD. Here, using OXYS rats that simulate key characteristics of sporadic AD, we set out to determine the role of mitochondria in the pathophysiology of this disorder. OXYS rats were treated with a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 from age 12 to 18 months, that is, during active progression of AD-like pathology in these animals. Dietary supplementation with SkQ1 caused this compound to accumulate in various brain regions, and it was localized mostly to neuronal mitochondria. Via improvement of structural and functional state of mitochondria, treatment with SkQ1 alleviated the structural neurodegenerative alterations, prevented the neuronal loss and synaptic damage, increased the levels of synaptic proteins, enhanced neurotrophic supply, and decreased amyloid-β1-42 protein levels and tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus of OXYS rats, resulting in improvement of the learning ability and memory. Collectively, these data support that mitochondrial dysfunction may play a key role in the pathophysiology of AD and that therapies with target mitochondria are potent to normalize a wide range of cellular signaling processes and therefore slow the progression of AD.

Stefanova|Natalia A|NA|
Muraleva|Natalia A|NA|
Maksimova|Kseniya Yi|KY|
Rudnitskaya|Ekaterina A|EA|
Kiseleva|Elena|E|
Telegina|Darya V|DV|
Kolosova|Nataliya G|NG|

mitochondria
Alzheimer’s disease
amyloid
neurodegeneration
synapse


Comparative Studies on Different Extraction Methods of Centella asiatica and Extracts Bioactive Compounds Effects on Antimicrobial Activities.

Abstract: The interest of consumers in using products containing phytochemicals derived from plants is growing day by day due to the shift of consumers' preferences from convenience to environmental sustainability. One plant utilized in many products is Centella asiatica, a herb commonly used in folk medicine, health supplements, and beauty products. Extraction of bioactive compounds from C. asiatica was performed using conventional methods and modern methods (e.g., microwave or ultrasound-assisted and subcritical water extraction). This review summarizes the variety of methods used to extract active compounds from C. asiatica, their influence on the bioactive compounds and antimicrobial activity in vitro and in vivo, and the safety and toxicology of C. asiatica extract.

extraction
Centella asiatica
bioactive compounds
antimicrobial
in vitro
in vivo


Germline cancer susceptibility gene variants, somatic second hits, and survival outcomes in patients with resected pancreatic cancer.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
Germline variants in double-strand DNA damage repair (dsDDR) genes (e.g., BRCA1/2) predispose to pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and may predict sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy and poly(ADP) ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. We sought to determine the prevalence and significance of germline cancer susceptibility gene variants in PDAC with paired somatic and survival analyses.

METHODS
Using a customized next-generation sequencing panel, germline/somatic DNA was analyzed from 289 patients with resected PDAC ascertained without preselection for high-risk features (e.g., young age, personal/family history). All identified variants were assessed for pathogenicity. Outcomes were analyzed using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS
We found that 28/289 (9.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.5-13.7%) patients carried pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline variants, including 21 (7.3%) dsDDR gene variants (3 BRCA1, 4 BRCA2, 14 other dsDDR genes [ATM, BRIP1, CHEK2, NBN, PALB2, RAD50, RAD51C]), 3 Lynch syndrome, and 4 other genes (APC p.I1307K, CDKN2A, TP53). Somatic sequencing and immunohistochemistry identified second hits in the tumor in 12/27 (44.4%) patients with germline variants (1 failed sequencing). Compared with noncarriers, patients with germline dsDDR gene variants had superior overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.54; 95% CI 0.30-0.99; P = 0.05).

CONCLUSION
Nearly 10% of PDAC patients harbor germline variants, although the majority lack somatic second hits, the therapeutic significance of which warrants further study.

Yurgelun|Matthew B|MB|
Chittenden|Anu B|AB|
Morales-Oyarvide|Vicente|V|
Rubinson|Douglas A|DA|
Dunne|Richard F|RF|
Kozak|Margaret M|MM|
Qian|Zhi Rong|ZR|
Welch|Marisa W|MW|
Brais|Lauren K|LK|
Da Silva|Annacarolina|A|
Bui|Justin L|JL|
Yuan|Chen|C|
Li|Tingting|T|
Li|Wanwan|W|
Masuda|Atsuhiro|A|
Gu|Mancang|M|
Bullock|Andrea J|AJ|
Chang|Daniel T|DT|
Clancy|Thomas E|TE|
Linehan|David C|DC|
Findeis-Hosey|Jennifer J|JJ|
Doyle|Leona A|LA|
Thorner|Aaron R|AR|
Ducar|Matthew D|MD|
Wollison|Bruce M|BM|
Khalaf|Natalia|N|
Perez|Kimberly|K|
Syngal|Sapna|S|
Aguirre|Andrew J|AJ|
Hahn|William C|WC|
Meyerson|Matthew L|ML|
Fuchs|Charles S|CS|
Ogino|Shuji|S|
Hornick|Jason L|JL|
Hezel|Aram F|AF|
Koong|Albert C|AC|
Nowak|Jonathan A|JA|
Wolpin|Brian M|BM|

D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease

Lynch syndrome
Familial pancreatic cancer
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
PARP inhibitors


Management of locoregional recurrence in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Abstract: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas often affect elderly patients. Follow-up monitoring is difficult in these patients due to their multi-morbidity and reduced compliance. Tumour recurrence is consequently diagnosed in advanced tumour stages. Surgical therapy with curative intention often requires extended resections. The study at hand should determine whether surgical concepts are warranted in this collective. Sixty-seven patients who underwent surgical procedure due to recurrent disease of cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were included. The cohort was divided in patients with/without adjuvant therapeutic regimens. Data were assessed retrospectively. Complete tumour resection was achieved in 85 % of our patients. Patients with adjuvant treatment demonstrated a favorable 5-year-recurrence-free interval (78 vs 30 %) and overall survival (79 vs 46 %). Complete surgical resection of advanced recurrent head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas is possible and yields favorable results in terms of survival, especially if combined with adjuvant treatment.

Strassen|Ulrich|U| Hofauer|Benedikt|B| Jacobi|Christian|C| Knopf|Andreas|A|

D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Recurrence
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Head and neck
Therapy
Outcome


Long non-coding RNA MIAT acts as a biomarker in diabetic retinopathy by absorbing miR-29b and regulating cell apoptosis.

Abstract: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and is the leading cause of vision loss globally. However, the pathogenic mechanism and clinical therapy still needs further improvement. The biologic significance of myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) in DR remains unknown. Here, we aim to explore the mechanism between MIAT and DR, which is essential for RD. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce DM mice and high glucose was used to stimulate cells. ChIP was used to detect the binding activity between nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and the promoter of the MIAT gene, luciferase activity assay was used to detect the target-specific selectivity between miR-29b and MIAT. The expressions of MIAT and p-p65 were increased in STZ-induced DM mice and high glucose stimulated rat retinal Müller cells (rMC-1) cells. ChIP results revealed that high glucose promoted the binding activity between NF-κB and MIAT, while Bay11-7082 acted as an inhibitor for NF-κB that suppressed the binding activity. miR-29b controled MIAT to regulate its expression and MIAT overexpression suppressed miR-29b, but promoted Sp1. High glucose stimulation increased the cell apoptosis and decreased the cell activity, while MIAT suppression reversed the effect induced by high glucose, however, miR-29b knockdown reversed the effects induced by MIAT suppression. Our results provided evidence that the mechanism of cell apoptosis in DR might be associated with the regulation of MIAT, however, miR-29b acted as a biomarker that was regulated by MIAT and further regulated cell apoptosis in DR.

Zhang|Jiayu|J| Chen|Maochong|M| Chen|Jiawei|J| Lin|Sisi|S| Cai|Daqiu|D| Chen|Chengwei|C| Chen|Zhenguo|Z|

MIAT
diabetic retinopathy
miR-29b
cell apoptosis
high glucose


Intra- and interrater reliability of the Chicago Classification of achalasia subtypes in pediatric high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) recordings.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Subtyping achalasia by high-resolution manometry (HRM) is clinically relevant as response to therapy and prognosis have shown to vary accordingly. The aim of this study was to assess inter- and intrarater reliability of diagnosing achalasia and achalasia subtyping in children using the Chicago Classification (CC) V3.0.

METHODS
Six observers analyzed 40 pediatric HRM recordings (22 achalasia and 18 non-achalasia) twice by using dedicated analysis software (ManoView 3.0, Given Imaging, Los Angeles, CA, USA). Integrated relaxation pressure (IRP4s), distal contractile integral (DCI), intrabolus pressurization pattern (IBP), and distal latency (DL) were extracted and analyzed hierarchically. Cohen's κ (2 raters) and Fleiss' κ (>2 raters) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used for categorical and ordinal data, respectively.

RESULTS
Based on the results of dedicated analysis software only, intra- and interrater reliability was excellent and moderate (κ=0.89 and κ=0.52, respectively) for differentiating achalasia from non-achalasia. For subtyping achalasia, reliability decreased to substantial and fair (κ=0.72 and κ=0.28, respectively). When observers were allowed to change the software-driven diagnosis according to their own interpretation of the manometric patterns, intra- and interrater reliability increased for diagnosing achalasia (κ=0.98 and κ=0.92, respectively) and for subtyping achalasia (κ=0.79 and κ=0.58, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS
Intra- and interrater agreement for diagnosing achalasia when using HRM and the CC was very good to excellent when results of automated analysis software were interpreted by experienced observers. More variability was seen when relying solely on the software-driven diagnosis and for subtyping achalasia. Therefore, diagnosing and subtyping achalasia should be performed in pediatric motility centers with significant expertise.

reliability achalasia pediatrics manometry


ADP-ribosyl-N₃: A Versatile Precursor for Divergent Syntheses of ADP-ribosylated Compounds.

Abstract: Adenosine diphosphate-ribose (ADP-ribose) and its derivatives play important roles in a series of complex physiological procedures. The design and synthesis of artificial ADP-ribosylated compounds is an efficient way to develop valuable chemical biology tools and discover new drug candidates. However, the synthesis of ADP-ribosylated compounds is currently difficult due to structural complexity, easily broken pyrophosphate bond and high hydrophilicity. In this paper, ADP-ribosyl-N₃ was designed and synthesized for the first time. With ADP-ribosyl-N₃ as the key precursor, a divergent post-modification strategy was developed to prepare structurally diverse ADP-ribosylated compounds including novel nucleotides and peptides bearing ADP-ribosyl moieties.

Li|Lingjun|L| Li|Qianqian|Q| Ding|Shengqiang|S| Xin|Pengyang|P| Zhang|Yuqin|Y| Huang|Shenlong|S| Zhang|Guisheng|G|

D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

ADP-ribosylated compounds
nucleotides
divergent synthesis


Solid-state perovskite-sensitized p-type mesoporous nickel oxide solar cells.

Abstract: Perovskite has been adopted as photosensitizer to develop solid state p-type mesoporous nickel oxide (NiO) dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) employing PCBM as electron conductor. The optimal device achieved an efficiency of 1.5% with an impressive open circuit voltage of more than 800 mV, which is the record of solar cell based on p-type mesoporous NiO electrode. This result shows the potential for building highly efficient p-type NiO solar cells as stand-alone device.

Tian|Haining|H|
Xu|Bo|B|
Chen|Hong|H|
Johansson|Erik M J|EM|
Boschloo|Gerrit|G|

nickel
solar cells
perovskites
mesoporous materials
solid-state structures


Initiation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in Young Girls Undergoing Central Precocious Puberty Exerts Remodeling Effects on the Prefrontal Cortex.

Abstract: Central precocious puberty (CPP) has been shown to exert significant effects on psychosocial development. These early puberty-related hormones and psychosocial functional changes are considered to be associated with specific brain development. However, the biological mechanisms underlying the sculpting of human brain architecture and modulation of psychosocial transformation by puberty-related hormonal maturation remain elusive, especially during the early phase of CPP. The current investigation aims to specify the brain regions in which early hormone-related maturation effects occur during CPP and their relationships with psychological functions. 65 young girls (aged 4.3-8.0 years) underwent structural imaging on a 3T MR system, completed psychological tests and performed the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test to identify hormonal manifestations of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG axis) activation. Based on the GnRH test, 28 young girls were identified with CPP, whereas the other 37 girls were identified with non-central precocious puberty (NCPP). Cortical parameters were calculated and compared between the two groups after adjusting for age, weight, and height. Brain regions showing group differences were extracted and correlated with serum hormone levels and psychological parameters. The CPP girls showed thinner cortices primarily in the right rostral middle frontal cortex. This morphological difference was positively correlated with stimulated estradiol (E2) levels. Further, higher E2 levels were significantly associated with higher hyperactivity scores. Premature HPG axis activation in CPP girls at an early stage appears to exert remodeling effects on brain anatomy, primarily in the prefrontal cortex, which may affect psychological development following the emergence of robust changes in sex hormones.

Yang|Di|D|
Zhang|Wenjing|W|
Zhu|Yaxin|Y|
Liu|Peining|P|
Tao|Bo|B|
Fu|Yuchuan|Y|
Chen|Yu|Y|
Zhou|Lu|L|
Liu|Lu|L|
Gao|Xin|X|
Liu|Xiaozheng|X|
Rubin|Leah H|LH|
Sweeney|John A|JA|
Yan|Zhihan|Z|

hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
central precocious puberty
estradiol
psychological development
cortical thickness


Is consulting patients about their health service preferences a useful exercise?

Abstract: As part of the shift toward patient-centered care, patients are increasingly being consulted about their preferences for health services and interventions, including those explored during randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to ensure that service recommendations are aligned to their own circumstances and needs. Hence, we interviewed patients (N = 40) who participated in a randomized control trial comparing diabetes education courses delivered using two different formats to establish whether, and why, they preferred one format to the other, to inform recommendations for future course delivery. Not only did patients report changing their preferences, and the reasons underlying these preferences, over time, but all patients also claimed to prefer the particular course they had attended. We use our findings and experiences to problematize the notion of a patient preference and to raise questions about what we can really learn from consulting patients about the care they receive within the context of an RCT.

Lawton|Julia|J| Rankin|David|D| Elliott|Jackie|J| |||

D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

interviews
diabetes
health care, user’s experiences
program evaluation
research design
research participation
research, qualitative


Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor 5 Contributes to Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Lesions through NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Macrophages.

Abstract: The pathogenesis of psoriasis, an immune-mediated chronic skin barrier disease, is not fully understood yet. Here, we identified lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor 5 (LPA5)-mediated signaling as a novel pathogenic factor in psoriasis using an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model. Amounts of most LPA species were markedly elevated in injured skin of psoriasis mice, along with LPA5 upregulation in injured skin. Suppressing the activity of LPA5 with TCLPA5, a selective LPA5 antagonist, improved psoriasis symptoms, including ear thickening, skin erythema, and skin scaling in imiquimod-challenged mice. TCLPA5 administration attenuated dermal infiltration of macrophages that were found as the major cell type for LPA5 upregulation in psoriasis lesions. Notably, TCLPA5 administration attenuated the upregulation of macrophage NLRP3 in injured skin of mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis. This critical role of LPA5 in macrophage NLRP3 was further addressed using lipopolysaccharide-primed bone marrow-derived macrophages. LPA exposure activated NLRP3 inflammasome in lipopolysaccharide-primed cells, which was evidenced by NLRP3 upregulation, caspase-1 activation, and IL-1β maturation/secretion. This LPA-driven NLRP3 inflammasome activation in lipopolysaccharide-primed cells was significantly attenuated upon LPA5 knockdown. Overall, our findings establish a pathogenic role of LPA5 in psoriasis along with an underlying mechanism, further suggesting LPA5 antagonism as a potential strategy to treat psoriasis.

Gaire|Bhakta Prasad|BP|
Lee|Chi-Ho|CH|
Kim|Wondong|W|
Sapkota|Arjun|A|
Lee|Do Yup|DY|
Choi|Ji Woong|JW|

D000071199:NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein

lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5
NLRP3 inflammasome
macrophages
psoriasis
TCLPA5


Assessing the Effectiveness of Curative Benznidazole Treatment in Preventing Chronic Cardiac Pathology in Experimental Models of Chagas Disease.

Abstract: Chagasic heart disease develops in 30% of those infected with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, but can take decades to become symptomatic. Because of this, it has been difficult to assess the extent to which antiparasitic therapy can prevent the development of pathology. We sought to address this question using experimental murine models, exploiting highly sensitive bioluminescent imaging to monitor curative efficacy. Mice were inoculated with bioluminescent parasites and then cured in either the acute or chronic stage of infection with benznidazole. At the experimental endpoint (5 to 6 months postinfection), heart tissue was removed and assessed for inflammation and fibrosis, two widely used markers of cardiac pathology. Infection of BALB/c and C3H/HeN mice with distinct T. cruzi lineages resulted in greatly increased myocardial collagen content at a group level, indicative of fibrotic pathology. When mice were cured by benznidazole in the acute stage, the development of pathology was completely blocked. However, if treatment was delayed until the chronic stage, cardiac fibrosis was observed in the BALB/c model, although the protective effect was maintained in the case of C3H/HeN mice. These experiments therefore demonstrate that curative benznidazole treatment early in murine T. cruzi infections can prevent the development of cardiac fibrosis. They also show that treatment during the chronic stage can block pathology but the effectiveness varies between infection models. If these findings are extendable to humans, it implies that widespread chemotherapeutic intervention targeted at early-stage infections could play a crucial role in reducing Chagas disease morbidity at a population level.

Francisco|Amanda Fortes|AF|
Jayawardhana|Shiromani|S|
Taylor|Martin C|MC|
Lewis|Michael D|MD|
Kelly|John M|JM|

benznidazole
cardiac pathology
experimental model
Chagas disease


Are There Any Ethnic Differences in the Response to Baricitinib for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Abstract: Introduction Baricitinib is an oral synthetic Janus Kinase inhibitor that inhibits JAK1 and JAK2, and the new kid on the block in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To date, there are no studies comparing the clinical benefit of baricitinib in RA between different ethnicities. Ethnicity plays a role in the effectiveness of therapeutic agents. Given the large multi-ethnic population of Leicestershire in the United Kingdom and the range of new therapeutics in RA, we reviewed our cohort of patients with RA to see whether there is any difference in baricitinib Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) response between the Asian and White cohorts. Methods This was a retrospective study. The patients included were those under the care of rheumatology at University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) with a diagnosis of RA and either receiving baricitinib or had received it in the past. Data was collected using the UHL information technology systems, clinic letters and pharmacy records. In addition to ethnicity, we reviewed patient age, gender, concurrent disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used, previous biologics used, baseline and post-treatment DAS28, dropout from therapy, baseline biochemical assays (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) status) and radiographic findings. An independent t-test was used to compare continuous data, and Pearson's chi-squared test was used to compare categorical data. Results A total of 120 patients were included in the analysis, and data were analysed with Portable Format for Analytics (PFA). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean DAS28 at baseline (Asian: 5.17 versus White: 4.65; p-value = 0.107) and post-treatment (Asian: 2.8 versus White: 3.3; p-value = 0.404). Comparing both ethnicities, there was no statistically significant difference in previous biologics used, anti-CCP and RF titres, and radiographic findings of erosions. Conclusion This is the first study of its kind, and it found no significant difference in baricitinib response between the Asian and White cohorts. Our study had certain limitations, and future studies will be needed to evaluate this subject further. Such data is important as it can contribute to a body of evidence that may in the future help inform clinical decision-making.

Zahir Hussain|Wajith Hussain|WH|
Jubber|Ameen|A|
Moorthy|Arumugam|A|

ethnicity
baricitinib
rheumatoid arthritis
drug response
jak inhibitors


A Novel Hygrotaxis Assay for Assessing Thirst Perception and Water Sensation in Drosophila.

Abstract: Water is essential for the survival of terrestrial animals. Animals obtain water from their food, from metabolism and, more importantly, by drinking. It is therefore vital for dehydrated animals to efficiently locate water sources in the wild. Traditional paradigm for studying the genetic basis of humidity sensation and preference use an apparatus consisting of two chambers providing a binary choice between flows of dry and moist air that maintain steep humidity gradients. Here, we introduce a novel assay to study water-seeking behavior (hygrotaxis) in Drosophila, in which dehydrated flies detect a humidity gradient and rapidly aggregate near an inaccessible water source. Our previous work using this method demonstrated that hygrotactic behavior relies on both specific sensory organs and central brain neurons.

Sun|Yuanjie|Y| Gao|Shan|S| Ji|Feiteng|F| Zhu|Yan|Y|

Drosophila
Water-seeking
Hygrotactic behavior
Drinking motivation
Water deprivation


A comparison of physical exercise and cognitive training interventions to improve determinants of functional mobility in healthy older adults.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
Mobility is a complex but crucial clinical outcome in older adults. Past observational studies have highlighted that cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), energy cost of walking (ECW), and cognitive switching abilities are associated with mobility performance, making these key determinants of mobility intervention targets to enhance mobility in older adults. The objective of this study was to compare, in the same design, the impact of three training methods - each known to improve either CRF, ECW, or cognitive switching abilities - on mobility in healthy older adults.

METHODS
Seventy-eight participants (69.28 ± 4.85yo) were randomly assigned to one of three twelve-week interventions: Aerobic Exercise (AE; n = 26), Gross Motor Abilities (GMA; n = 27), or Cognitive (COG; n = 25) training. Each intervention was designed to improve one of the three key determinants of mobility (CRF, ECW, and cognitive switching). Primary outcomes (usual gait speed, and TUG performance) and the three mobility determinants were measured before and after the intervention.

RESULTS
Repeated-measures ANOVAs showed a time effect for TUG performance (F(1,75) = 14.92, p < .001): all groups equally improved after the intervention (ΔTUGpost-pre, in seconds, with 95% CI: AE = -0.44 [-0.81 to -0.08]; GMA = -0.60 [-1.10 to -0.10]; COG = -0.33 [-0.71 to 0.05]). No significant between group differences were observed. CRF was improved in the AE group only (Hedges' G = 0.27, small effect), ECW and cognitive switching improved the most in the GMA (Hedges' G = -0.78, moderate effect) and COG groups (Hedges' G = -1.93, large effect) respectively. Smaller improvements in ECW were observed following AE and COG trainings (Hedges' G: AE = -0.39, COG = -0.36, both small effects) as well as in cognitive switching following AE and GMA training (Hedges' G: AE = -0.42, GMA = -0.21, both small effects).

DISCUSSION
This study provides further support to the notion that multiple interventional approaches (aerobic, gross motor exercise, or cognitive training) can be employed to improve functional mobility in older adults, giving them, and professionals, more options to promote healthy ageing.

Pothier|Kristell|K|
Vrinceanu|Tudor|T|
Intzandt|Brittany|B|
Bosquet|Laurent|L|
Karelis|Antony D|AD|
Lussier|Maxime|M|
Vu|T T Minh|TTM|
Nigam|Anil|A|
Li|Karen Z H|KZH|
Berryman|Nicolas|N|
Bherer|Louis|L|

Cognitive switching abilities
Gross motor abilities
Aerobic training
Computerized cognitive training
Timed-up and go test


Klebsiella pneumoniae presents antimicrobial drug resistance for β-lactam through the ESBL/PBP signaling pathway.

Abstract: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance which has become a significant public health concern. Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common pathogenic bacteria underlying nosocomial infections due to the expression of virulence factors and occurrence of antibiotic resistance. Evidence indicates that β-lactamase is involved in the antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae to β-lactam antibiotics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the molecular biological mechanisms of antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). In order to assess temporal trends in prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility, Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria were isolated and the ESBL expression level was analyzed. Susceptibility tests were performed using automated systems. The β-lactam-resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae was assessed by the β-lactam agar screen plate and respective MIC values were evaluated using E-test strips. The confirmatory disk diffusion methods were applied for phenotypic identification of the ESBL production of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results showed that Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria exhibited higher ESBL production after treatment with β-lactam compared to the control. The ESBL gene expression was upregulated in Klebsiella pneumoniae after treatment with β-lactam. Results identified that penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) were associated with the growth and resistance to β-lactams. Zinc finger nuclease markedly inhibited the antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae to β-lactam. PBP knockdown abolished the inhibitory effects of zinc finger nuclease on the growth of Klebsiella pneumonia e induced by β-lactam antibiotic treatment. In conclusion, these results suggest that the resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria to antimicrobial drugs is through the ESBL signaling pathway, which indicates that ESBL may be a potential target for abolishing resistance to β-lactam.

Jiang|Wei|W| Yang|Wenjie|W| Zhao|Xuequn|X| Wang|Na|N| Ren|Haixia|H|

Klebsiella pneumoniae
β-lactam
antibiotic resistance
extended-spectrum β-lactamase
penicillin-binding proteins
zinc finger nuclease


Label-free Protein Detection Based on the Heat-Transfer Method--A Case Study with the Peanut Allergen Ara h 1 and Aptamer-Based Synthetic Receptors.

Abstract: Aptamers are an emerging class of molecules that, because of the development of the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process, can recognize virtually every target ranging from ions, to proteins, and even whole cells. Although there are many techniques capable of detecting template molecules with aptamer-based systems with high specificity and selectivity, they lack the possibility of integrating them into a compact and portable biosensor setup. Therefore, we will present the heat-transfer method (HTM) as an interesting alternative because this offers detection in a fast and low-cost manner and has the possibility of performing experiments with a fully integrated device. This concept has been demonstrated for a variety of applications including DNA mutation analysis and screening of cancer cells. To the best our knowledge, this is the first report on HTM-based detection of proteins, in this case specifically with aptamer-type receptors. For proof-of-principle purposes, measurements will be performed with the peanut allergen Ara h 1 and results indicate detection limits in the lower nanomolar regime in buffer liquid. As a first proof-of-application, spiked Ara h 1 solutions will be studied in a food matrix of dissolved peanut butter. Reference experiments with the quartz-crystal microbalance will allow for an estimate of the areal density of aptamer molecules on the sensor-chip surface.

Peeters|Marloes|M|
van Grinsven|Bart|B|
Cleij|Thomas J|TJ|
Jiménez-Monroy|Kathia Lorena|KL|
Cornelis|Peter|P|
Pérez-Ruiz|Elena|E|
Wackers|Gideon|G|
Thoelen|Ronald|R|
De Ceuninck|Ward|W|
Lammertyn|Jeroen|J|
Wagner|Patrick|P|

D052179:Antigens, Plant
D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide
D015374:Biosensing Techniques
D006023:Glycoproteins
D006358:Hot Temperature
D008565:Membrane Proteins
D010940:Plant Proteins
D040081:Protein Array Analysis
D062165:Receptors, Artificial
D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D013194:Staining and Labeling
D013817:Thermography

proteins
Ara h 1
aptamers
heat-transfer method (HTM)
biomimetic sensors
label-free biosensors


Enrichment and Characterisation of a Mixed-Source Ethanologenic Community Degrading the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste Under Minimal Environmental Control.

Abstract: The utilisation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste as feedstock for bioethanol production could reduce the need for disposal of the ever-increasing amounts of municipal solid waste, especially in developing countries, and fits with the integrated goals of climate change mitigation and transport energy security. Mixed culture fermentation represents a suitable approach to handle the complexity and variability of such waste, avoiding expensive and vulnerable closed-control operational conditions. It is widely accepted that the control of pH in these systems can direct the fermentation process toward a desired fermentation product, however, little empirical evidence has been provided in respect of lignocellulosic waste substrates and different environmental inocula sources. We evaluated ethanol production from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste using five different inocula sources where lignocellulose degradation putatively occurs, namely, compost, woodland soil, rumen, cow faeces and anaerobic granular sludge, when incubated in batch microcosms at either initially neutral or acidic pH and under initially aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Although ethanol was produced by all the inocula tested, their performance was different in response to the imposed experimental conditions. Rumen and anaerobic granular sludge produced significantly the highest ethanol concentrations (∼30 mM) under initially neutral and acidic pH, respectively. A mixed-source community formed by mixing rumen and sludge (R + S) was then tested over a range of initial pH. In contrast to the differences observed for the individual inocula, the maximal ethanol production of the mixed community was not significantly different at initial pH of 5.5 and 7. Consistent with this broader functionality, the microbial community analyses confirmed the R + S community enriched comprised bacterial taxa representative of both original inocula. It was demonstrated that the interaction of initial pH and inocula source dictated ethanologenic activity from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. Furthermore, the ethanologenic mixed-source community enriched, was comprised of taxa belonging to the two original inocula sources (rumen and sludge) and had a broader functionality. This information is relevant when diverse inocula sources are combined for mix culture fermentation studies as it experimentally demonstrates the benefits of diversity and function assembled from different inocula.

Carrillo-Barragan|Priscilla|P|
Bowler|Bernard|B|
Dolfing|Jan|J|
Sallis|Paul|P|
Gray|Neil Duncan|ND|

bioethanol
mixed culture fermentation
bacterial community composition
environmental biotechnology
organic municipal solid waste
resource recovery from waste


Characteristics of pediatric invasive pneumococcal diseases and the pneumococcal isolates in Suzhou, China before introduction of PCV13.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Data on characteristics of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) is limited in China. We aimed to understand the clinical features and explore the molecular characteristics of the pneumococcal isolates in China.

METHODS
Since 2010, we prospectively collected the pneumococcal isolates and the IPD patients' demographic and clinical information in Suzhou University Affiliated Children's Hospital (SCH). The antibiotic susceptibility, serotypes, genotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were identified by E-test, quellung reaction and/or multiplex PCR, and multi-locus sequence typing, respectively.

RESULTS
During the period from January 2010 to December 2015, a total of 80 IPD patients were identified. They were diagnosed as meningitis (31.3%), septicemia (27.5%), pneumonia (21.3%) and others (20.0%). About half of them required vancomycin treatment, 42.5% were admitted to ICUs, 36.2% had complications and 6.2% were hospitalized for over 1year. The most common serotypes of the pneumococcal isolates were serotypes 6B and 14, the coverage of PCV13 was 92.5%, and CC236s and CC199s were the most common clone complexes.

CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric IPD patients had severe clinical symptoms, demanded intensive treatment, suffered poor prognosis and substantial burden. The pneumococcal isolates' serotype coverage of PCV13 vaccine was high, which leads to implication of PCV vaccine usage among children in China.

Zhang|Xiyan|X| Tian|Jianmei|J| Shan|Wei|W| Xue|Jian|J| Tao|Yunzhen|Y| Geng|Qian|Q| Ding|Yunfang|Y| Zhao|Genming|G| Zhang|Tao|T|

D052978:Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests

D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

Invasive pneumococcal disease
Suzhou
Children
Streptococcus pneumoniae


Investigation of Nrf2, AhR and ATF4 Activation in Toxicogenomic Databases.

Abstract: Toxicological responses to chemical insult are largely regulated by transcriptionally activated pathways that may be independent, correlated and partially or fully overlapping. Investigating the dynamics of the interactions between stress responsive transcription factors from toxicogenomic data and defining the signature of each of them is an additional step toward a system level understanding of perturbation driven mechanisms. To this end, we investigated the segregation of the genes belonging to the three following transcriptionally regulated pathways: the AhR pathway, the Nrf2 pathway and the ATF4 pathway. Toxicogenomic datasets from three projects (carcinoGENOMICS, Predict-IV and TG-GATEs) obtained in various experimental conditions (in human and rat in vitro liver and kidney models and rat in vivo, with bolus administration and with repeated doses) were combined and consolidated where overlaps between datasets existed. A bioinformatic analysis was performed to refine pathways' signatures and to create chemical activation capacity scores to classify chemicals by their potency and selectivity of activation of each pathway. With some refinement such an approach may improve chemical safety classification and allow biological read across on a pathway level.

Zgheib|Elias|E|
Limonciel|Alice|A|
Jiang|Xiaoqi|X|
Wilmes|Anja|A|
Wink|Steven|S|
van de Water|Bob|B|
Kopp-Schneider|Annette|A|
Bois|Frederic Y|FY|
Jennings|Paul|P|

Nrf2
AhR
ATF4
toxicogenomic
oxidative stress
toxicity pathways
transcriptomics


Patient-centric medical notes: Identifying areas for improvement in the age of open medical records.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
Patients are increasingly provided facilitated access to their medical notes. Physicians have reported concerns that patients will find notes confusing and offensive, and that typographical errors will appear unprofessional. This exploratory study quantifies the prevalence of potentially confusing or offensive medical language and typographic errors within notes.

METHODS
The authors performed a retrospective, cross-sectional review of 400 inpatient History and Physical notes from a tertiary care center. All notes were from admissions to general internal medicine services. Words and phrases of interest were codified into five pre-established categories and subdivisions.

RESULTS
Of 400 notes, 337 notes written by residents and hospitalists were analyzed. The most prevalent characteristics identified per note were General Medical Acronyms (99.1%), Medical Jargon (96.7%), and Typographical Errors (49%). Residents used a greater number of acronyms and abbreviations (p<0.01). All subdivisions within Subjective Descriptors and Mental and Personal Health appeared in less than 20% of notes.

CONCLUSION
While the place of medical shorthand, jargon, and sensitive history in the note is unlikely to change in the near future, this study identifies typographical errors as a modifiable area for improvement. The examination of medical note language may prove beneficial to the patient-physician relationship in the digital era.

Lee|Eric Hweegeun|EH|
Patel|Jay Pravin|JP|
Fortin|Auguste Hector|AH|

D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies
D005260:Female
D020445:Hospitalists
D006801:Humans
D007396:Internship and Residency
D008297:Male
D008487:Medical History Taking
D008499:Medical Records
D008875:Middle Aged
D010808:Physical Examination
D058996:Quality Improvement
D012189:Retrospective Studies
D009626:Terminology as Topic

Medical notes
Electronic health record
Patient access to records
Physician patient relationship


Cardiorespiratory interactions: Noncontact assessment using laser Doppler vibrometry.

Abstract: The application of a noncontact physiological recording technique, based on the method of laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV), is described. The effectiveness of the LDV method as a physiological recording modality lies in the ability to detect very small movements of the skin, associated with internal mechanophysiological activities. The method is validated for a range of cardiovascular variables, extracted from the contour of the carotid pulse waveform as a function of phase of the respiration cycle. Data were obtained from 32 young healthy participants, while resting and breathing spontaneously. Individual beats were assigned to four segments, corresponding with inspiration and expiration peaks and transitional periods. Measures relating to cardiac and vascular dynamics are shown to agree with the pattern of effects seen in the substantial body of literature based on human and animal experiments, and with selected signals recorded simultaneously with conventional sensors. These effects include changes in heart rate, systolic time intervals, and stroke volume. There was also some evidence for vascular adjustments over the respiration cycle. The effectiveness of custom algorithmic approaches for extracting the key signal features was confirmed. The advantages of the LDV method are discussed in terms of the metrological properties and utility in psychophysiological research. Although used here within a suite of conventional sensors and electrodes, the LDV method can be used on a stand-alone, noncontact basis, with no requirement for skin preparation, and can be used in harsh environments including the MR scanner.

Sirevaag|Erik J|EJ|
Casaccia|Sara|S|
Richter|Edward A|EA|
O'Sullivan|Joseph A|JA|
Scalise|Lorenzo|L|
Rohrbaugh|John W|JW|

Cardiovascular Respiration Autonomic Other


Increasing the Propulsive Demands of Walking to their Maximum Elucidates Functionally Limiting Impairments in Older Adult Gait.

Abstract: We elucidated functional limitations in older adult gait by increasing horizontal impeding forces and walking speed to their maximums compared to dynamometry and to data from their young counterparts. Specifically, we investigated which determinants of push-off intensity represent genuine functionally limiting impairments in older adult gait versus biomechanical changes that do not directly limit walking performance. We found that older adults walked at their preferred speed with hallmark deficits in push-off intensity. These subjects were fully capable of overcoming deficits in propulsive ground reaction force, trailing limb positive work, trailing leg and hip extension, and ankle power generation when the propulsive demands of walking were increased to maximum. Of the outcomes tested, age-related deficits in ankle moment emerged as the lone genuine functionally limiting impairment in older adults. Distinguishing genuine functional limitations from age-related differences masquerading as limitations represents a critical step toward the development and prescription of effective interventions.

Walking
Impeding forces
Push-off
Biomechanics
Ankle moment


Time Spent in Practicing Dissection Correlated with Improvement in Anatomical Knowledge of Students: Experimental Study in an Integrated Learning Program.

Abstract: Introduction and aim Cadaveric dissection has long been used as the main domain for teaching anatomy in medical schools. However, recently with a limited number of cadavers and time for practicing dissection, prosections and anatomical models are widely used and may replace traditional dissection. We aimed to explore the possible association between practicing dissection and test results among medical students and to determine whether there are differences in achievements between students who studied anatomy by cadaveric dissection and those who used prosections and anatomical models. Methods The study was conducted at the University of Bisha, College of Medicine, Saudi Arabia, during the period from March to August 2017. Students were randomly assigned to one of two groups (50 in each). The first group studied anatomy (upper limb course) by practicing dissection while the other studied it by using prosections and anatomical models. Both groups were subjected to the same final assessments. Scores of both groups were compared by using the Student's t-test. Correlation analysis between time spent in practicing dissection (carefully registered using a predesigned portfolio and an attendance logbook) and assessment grades was implemented using the rank-based Pearson correlation coefficient. Results Students practicing dissection achieved higher grades (169 ± 1.99) than those who studied anatomy by only using prosections and anatomical models (142 ± 1.78, p<0.001). There was an association between the time spent in practicing dissections and overall anatomy summative assessments (r2=0.841, p<0.001). Students expressed positive responses towards the effectiveness and value of practicing dissection. Conclusions We concluded that practicing dissection helps students to achieve higher results than learning using only models and prosections. Time spent in practicing dissection correlated with final assessment results. Further research is required to measure not only the statistical significance of results but also their educational effectiveness and long term learning outcomes.

dissection
students
learning
cadavers
assessment results


Luminance and contrast in visual perception of time to collision.

Abstract: Many animals avoid dark, approaching objects seen against a lighter background but show no or weaker reactions to stimuli with inverted contrast. We investigated whether human observers would respond differently to such stimuli in terms of estimated time-to-arrival. We varied luminances of an approaching, light or dark disk and a plain, grey background, and for several conditions, continuously adjusted calibrations so as to keep contrast and/or overall lightness constant. Since no effects were found, we conclude that humans are able to discard luminance and contrast for the task at hand. Generally, however, performance was affected by different, consecutive regimes of feedback: Initially, without feedback, observers responded inconsistently and much too late; they improved after correct feedback, and in a third block of trials with pseudo-random feedback, they responded increasingly early without reverting to the initial level of uncertainty. We discuss our findings with regard to implications for neural mechanisms, put them in the context of evolutionary considerations, and propose continuative animal behavioral studies.

Luminance
Contrast
Animal behavior
Evolution
Looming
Time-to-collision


Synthesis and antioxidant evaluation of some novel ortho-hydroxypyridine-4-one iron chelators.

Abstract: A series of ortho-hydroxypyridine-4-ones were prepared in high yields and evaluated for antioxidant and iron chelating activities. N(1)-H hydroxypyridinones Va, Vb, and Ve were the best radical scavengers in DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Compound Vb was proved to be the most potent compound in hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. All of the synthesized compounds had very close chelating ability, compounds containing N(1)-CH3 hydroxypyridinone ring were stronger chelating agents.

Mohammadpour|M|M| Sadeghi|A|A| Fassihi|A|A| Saghaei|L|L| Movahedian|A|A| Rostami|M|M|

Ortho-Hydroxypyridine-4-one
Iron chelating activity
Antioxidant activity
Radical scavenging activity


Cell-Type-Specific Profibrotic Scores across Multi-Organ Systems Predict Cancer Prognosis.

Abstract: Fibrosis is a major cause of mortality. Key profibrotic mechanisms are common pathways involved in tumorigenesis. Characterizing the profibrotic phenotype will help reveal the underlying mechanisms of early development and progression of a variety of human diseases, such as fibrosis and cancer. Fibroblasts have been center stage in response to various stimuli, such as viral infections. However, a comprehensive catalog of cell types involved in this process is currently lacking. Here, we deployed single-cell transcriptomic data across multi-organ systems (i.e., heart, kidney, liver, and lung) to identify novel profibrotic cell populations based on ECM pathway activity at single-cell resolution. In addition to fibroblasts, we also reported that epithelial, endothelial, myeloid, natural killer T, and secretory cells, as well as proximal convoluted tubule cells of the nephron, were significantly actively involved. Cell-type-specific gene signatures were enriched in viral infection pathways, enhanced glycolysis, and carcinogenesis, among others; they were validated using independent datasets in this study. By projecting the signatures into bulk TCGA tumor samples, we could predict prognosis in the patients using profibrotic scores. Our profibrotic cellular phenotype is useful for identifying new mechanisms and potential drug targets at the cell-type level for a wide range of diseases involved in ECM pathway activation.

single-cell extracellular matrix pathway activity


Coping Processes of Patients with Ostomies in South Korea: A Focus Group Study.

Abstract: Despite the adverse effects of negative coping after receiving a stoma, there is a lack of information on how patients cope with ostomies and on their families' experiences throughout the coping process. We aimed to explore the coping experiences of individuals with ostomies throughout their illness, applying the Corbin and Strauss Chronic Illness Trajectory Framework, using exploratory qualitative methods involving focus group interviews. Purposive sampling was utilized to recruit 19 participants (split across three groups) through an ostomy association in South Korea. Two focus group interviews were separately conducted from March through to May 2017 until data saturation was achieved. Using qualitative content analysis, we analyzed the transcribed interviews and identified words and themes to interpret the results. The coping experiences of patients with ostomies were expressed through three interrelated themes: struggling and suffering, learning how to live with ostomy, and living with ostomy. We found gender differences in spousal support and a struggle among older patients regarding social coping. The themes identified suggest that gender should be considered when designing interventions to help patients cope with ostomies.

coping
ostomy
mental suffering
nursing
physical suffering
psychological adaptation
psychological distress
psychological sexual dysfunction
social adjustment


The impact of repeat biopsies on infectious complications in men with prostate cancer on active surveillance.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
Prostate biopsy related infectious complications are associated with significant morbidity. The risk of infectious complications in patients with prostate cancer on active surveillance remains under studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 591 consecutive men who underwent prostate biopsy were prospectively enrolled in a study evaluating prostate biopsy related complications between January 2011 and January 2012. Of these men 403 were previously diagnosed with prostate cancer and were included in this study. They underwent a 14-core transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy as part of an active surveillance regimen. A nurse contacted all men within 14 days of biopsy, and information was collected on potential complications, antibiotics received and bacterial culture results.

RESULTS
Fourteen patients (3.5%) had infectious complications including 13 requiring hospitalization. Five patients had positive urine cultures, and fluoroquinolone resistant isolates were identified in 4 patients, including 2 with extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing isolates. We evaluated the impact of risk factors including diabetes, benign prostatic hyperplasia and antibiotic regimen. However, only the number of previous prostate biopsies was significantly associated with an increased risk of infectious complications (p = 0.041). For every previous biopsy the odds of an infection increased 1.3 times (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.01-1.74).

CONCLUSIONS
In men with prostate cancer on active surveillance the number of previous prostate biopsies is associated with a significant risk of infectious complications and every previous biopsy increases the risk of infectious complication. Fluoroquinolone resistant and extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing isolates represent the most commonly identified organisms. Men with prostate cancer on active surveillance should be informed of the risks associated with serial repeat prostate biopsies.

Ehdaie|Behfar|B| Vertosick|Emily|E| Spaliviero|Massimiliano|M| Giallo-Uvino|Anna|A| Taur|Ying|Y| O'Sullivan|Maryellen|M| Livingston|Jennifer|J| Sogani|Pramod|P| Eastham|James|J| Scardino|Peter|P| Touijer|Karim|K|

biopsy
infection
prostatic neoplasms
sepsis
treatment outcome


An update on the problem of osteoporosis in people with epilepsy taking antiepileptic drugs.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with a negative impact on bone health. Comorbid disorders in patients with epilepsy may require drugs exerting a pro-osteoporotic effect, so a possibility of untoward interactions with AEDs is probable.

AREAS COVERED
This review discusses evidence related to the deteriorating influence of AEDs on bone, demonstrating generally stronger negative effects of conventional AEDs. Lamotrigine seems to be a safer AED in this regard. Further, literature data indicate that generally AEDs can lower the serum concentration of vitamin D. Importantly, pediatric patients are of greater risk of bone problems during therapy with AEDs, which is probably due to their effects on bone-forming processes.

EXPERT OPINION
Supplementation with vitamin D and calcium is frequently recommended in patients taking AEDs chronically. Whether to add a bisphosphonate remains an open question due to the limited data on this issue. A possibility of negative interactions exists between AEDs and other pro-osteoporotic drugs: glucocorticoids, proton pump inhibitors and aromatase inhibitors. Depression is a frequent comorbidity in patients with epilepsy. Clinical data indicate that antidepressant drugs may also increase the risk of fractures. Again, patients with epilepsy and depression may be exposed to a greater risk of osteoporosis.

Miziak|Barbara|B|
Chrościńska-Krawczyk|Magdalena|M|
Czuczwar|Stanisław J|SJ|

osteoporosis
Antiepileptics
bone health
bisphosphonates
fractures
calcium supplementation
vitamin D supplementation


Effects of Environmental Factors on Concrete Carbonation Depth and Compressive Strength.

Abstract: The influence of temperature, CO₂ concentration and relative humidity on the carbonation depth and compressive strength of concrete was investigated. Meanwhile, phase composition, types of hydration products and microstructure characteristics of samples before and after the carbonation were analyzed by XRD and ESEM. Research results demonstrate that temperature, CO₂ concentration and relative humidity influence the carbonation depth and compressive strength of concrete significantly. There is a linear relationship between temperature and carbonation depth, as well as the compressive strength of concrete. CO₂ concentration and relative humidity present a power function and a polynomial function with carbonation depth of concrete, respectively. The concrete carbonation depth increases with the increase of relative humidity and reaches the maximum value when the relative humidity is 70%. Significant differences of phase composition, hydration products and microstructure are observed before and after the carbonation. Carbonization products of samples are different with changes of temperatures (10 °C, 20 °C and 30 °C). The result of crystal structure analysis indicates that the carbonation products are mainly polyhedral spherical vaterite and aragonite.

concrete
carbonation depth
compressive strength
temperature
relative humidity
CO2 concentration


Unveiling the effect of three-dimensional bioactive fibre mesh scaffolds functionalized with silanol groups on bacteria growth.

Abstract: The need to replace or repair deteriorating bones and simultaneously prevent the formation of bacteria biofilm without impairing local tissue integration has pushed scientists to look for new designs and processing methods to develop innovative biomaterials. Silicon-based biomaterials, widely studied for application in bone regeneration, have demonstrated antibacterial properties. Herein, the aim of this work is to investigate the potential of the functionalization of biomaterials surfaces with silanol groups to prevent the bacterial biofilm formation. For that, we evaluated the adherence and biofilm formation of Escherichia coli (E. coli, Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, Gram positive) on starch-based scaffolds. Three-dimensional fibre meshes scaffolds were developed by wet-spinning and functionalized with silanol (Si-OH) groups using a calcium silicate solution as a nonsolvent. The functionalization of the scaffolds was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The developed scaffolds showed no biocide activity against the bacterial tested, although the colony-forming units (CFU) mL(-1) counts were significant lower between 4 and 12 h of incubation for both bacteria. The adherence of E. coli and S. aureus to the scaffolds was also investigated. After a growth period of 12 h, the SPCL scaffolds functionalized with Si-OH groups showed a reduced bacterial adherence of E. coli and S. aureus. The functionalized scaffolds showed a positive effect in preventing the formation of biofilm in the case of S. aureus, however, in the case of E. coli this was not observed, suggesting that silanol groups may only have a positive effect in preventing the proliferation of gram-positive bacteria. The in vitro biological assessment of the functionalized materials showed that these materials sustained cell proliferation and induced their osteogenic differentiation. The outcome of this work suggests that the presence of Si-OH groups in SPCL scaffolds maintained bactericidal activity against S. aureus. Further research is still needed in order to understand the full antibacterial potential of Si-OH groups. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 2189-2199, 2016.

Rodrigues|Ana I|AI|
Franco|Albina R|AR|
Rodrigues|Fernando J|FJ|
Leonor|Isabel B|IB|
Reis|Rui L|RL|

D004926:Escherichia coli
D012821:Silanes
D013211:Staphylococcus aureus
D013526:Surgical Mesh
D054457:Tissue Scaffolds

silanol groups
antibacterial
starch-based scaffolds
osteogenic differentiation